With a history that spans at least 300 years, Mobile has seen its share of people who have made an impact on history, including well known explorers Hernando de Soto and Robert de la Salle, American Indian chief Tuskaloosa, British naturalist William Bartram, and more recently, Winston Groom, who penned "Forrest Gump."

Perhaps the most famous son of this Southern city, however, is Henry "Hammerin' Hank" Aaron, a pioneer for blacks in pro baseball and, as its home run king, one of the game's all-time greats.