Pope John Paul II's death prompted a remarkable outpouring of grief and respect, not just from Roman Catholics but from admirers of all faiths. The throngs that brought parts of Rome to a standstill paid homage to a man who helped bring freedom to his native Poland, traveled tirelessly to more than 120 nations and inspired young people to maintain their faith. He was among the notable people who died in 2005. So, too, was Rosa Parks, whose history-making achievement played out one evening in 1955 on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Ala., when she refused to give up her...