For the Latin American nation of Uruguay, Aug. 25 marks the anniversary of when the country gained its independence from Brazil and became the country it is today.

In honor of the country's special day we have highlighted 5 Uruguayans whose names you should know.

1. Bárbara Mori

The 37-year-old actress, who is also of Mexican, Japanese and Lebanese heritage, started her career as a model and broke into acting with the telenovela "Mirada De Mujer." Mori gained popularity in 2004 when she starred in the telenovela "Rubi," her most beloved role to date. The actress won Best Lead Actress at the 2005 TVyNovelas Awards for the role. Since then Mori has appeared in several films and television shows.

2. Sebastián Abreu

Abreu is a professional soccer player who plays for Sociedad Deportiva Aucas on loan from the National Soccer Club as a striker. The 38-year-old athlete from Minas, Uruguay has represented the country in two World Cups and three Copa América tournaments. Throughout his career, the athlete, who is also known by the nickname "El Loco," has played for 20 different teams.

3. Marcelo Buquet

Buquet is an Uruguayan actor who many may know from some of the most popular telenovelas. The 51-year-old actor has starred in popular telenovelas like "La usurpadora" and "La madrastra," and he played the villain in "Marimar." Buquet, who hails form Montevideo, is currently playing Aquinas Botel in the telenovela for Televisa, "Lo Imperdonable."

4. Natalia Oreiro

Oreiro is a Grammy nominated singer and actress from Montevideo, Uruguay. The star is known heavily for her work in a variety of telenovelas in Argentina. Besides starring in the first novela made for the web, called "Amanda O," she was also named the UNICEF ambassador for both Argentina and Uruguay in 2011 for her work in issues of social awareness.

5. China Zorrilla

The legendary star, who has been branded the "Grand Dame" of the South American theater, was also known for her work in film as an actress, writer and director. Zorrilla, who was from Montevideo, Uruguay but spent a lot of time in Argentina, died in 2014 at the age of 92 after a career that spanned over 60 years. In 2011, the actress was honored by Uruguay with commemorative postage stamps in her name.