This post first appeared on Function Space.

Without question, our lives would be very different without the inventions of Thomas Edison, Watson & Crick and many more scientists. These prodigious creators changed our culture in countless ways with the seemingly miraculous discoveries and inventions that flooded out of this country. This 4th of July marks 238th anniversary of the American independence and as they wave the American flag, attend a parade or party up while sporting red-white-and-blue colors, take a moment to acknowledge America’s contribution the world of science.

Invention of computers was one of the highest forms of development that the USA’s high-tech industry gave the world; this area defines the progress of high-tech world as a whole even today. When the Wright brothers designed and piloted the first airplane in 1903 a lot of things were put into fast motion. As early as 1929 when Edwin Hubble proved the existence of a galaxy over one million light-years away, it was an impressive introduction of technology into mainstream astronomy.

USA gave the world some of the greatest programmers, scientists, biologists and physicists. Just recently, an American shared the Nobel Prize in medicine for understanding the excruciating details of the human immune system. Other three won the Nobel Prize in physics for toppling the conventional knowledge about our universe. If this isn’t enough, two more Americans were awarded the Nobel Prize in economics. Since we are counting the American points, let us not forget that 31 out of 100 top universities in the world are in the United States.

The future holds fusion energy, genomics, and biotechnology breakthroughs that could help battle our age old nemesis, cancer. Advances in artificial intelligence technologies hold great promise. President Barack Obama’s initiative to fund brain research has provided a renewed hope of conquering the final frontier of science, the mystery of the human mind. As a future climate and energy catastrophe looms over the world, finding efficient renewable energy alternatives is a prime focus area for the country. We see further today and stand on the cusp of humanity’s most glorious century, only because we stand on the shoulders of giants. Let us take a moment to look back and remember the contributions of these great minds of science, who have made our world a better place.

Happy Independence Day America!

The graphic below demonstrates one of America’s most important strengths: its complete contribution to scientific research.

Click here to enlarge the infographic.