On Monday we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and if there is one thing that can be said about him it's that he inspired many. He was known for fighting for the civil rights of African American citizens during a turbulent time and always sought to improve society for those persecuted by it. Even though he was died too soon, his efforts weren't in vain and he remains an icon in American History, which is why we honor him every year.

As someone who was known for going the distance to help a group of minorities progress in a time of suppression, Dr. King was known to put others besides himself first. Which is why we wanted to honor some of the other inspiring heroes that we've written about--people we've come across who have done well for society.

There's nothing sweeter than a person willing to do something for others without expecting anything back. Take for instance the way teacher Victoria Soto died during the Sandy Hook shooting while protecting her students, or the former attorney who willingly gave up his home for a homeless family to reside in.

Read more ¿Qué más?: Victoria Soto + 6 other Latino heroes (PHOTOS)

There people all were willing to do something out of the goodness of their heart, whether it ended in death or just left a mark in the world. Check out our list, honoring them, below.

Image via CBS DFW