TIME's 'Person of the Year,' formerly 'Man of the Year,' isn't necessarily an *award*. It's about influence – recognizing the individual or group who, for better or worse, has most affected the news and our lives during the past year.
Since its inception in 1927 with Charles Lindbergh, the selection has been consistently provocative. While some choices, like Winston Churchill or Martin Luther King Jr., feel universally lauded, others, like Adolf Hitler in 1938 or Joseph Stalin (twice!), spark intense debate. This controversy is inherent to the award's purpose. It's not about endorsement; it's about impact.
Beyond individuals, groups and even concepts have been recognized. 'The Computer' (1982) and 'The Protester' (2011) highlight the broad scope of TIME's consideration. Recent selections, such as Greta Thunberg and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, continue the tradition of sparking conversation and reflecting the anxieties and triumphs of our time. Ultimately, TIME's 'Person of the Year' offers a compelling, if sometimes unsettling, snapshot of history in motion.
