As the U.S. celebrates its 238th birthday this 4th of July weekend, Latinos around the nation also find themselves taking part in festivities celebrating the spirit of the nation.

Through the years, Hispanics have made strong contributions in fields from entertainment to politics, sports, business and more, helping not only to change their fields, but the way that mainstream America sees Latinos.

Latin Post takes a look at some of the most influential Latinos around the country in their respective fields:

Entertainment

Jennifer Lopez

The Bronx, New York-born, Puerto Rican-bred triple-threat entertainer has come a long way from being one of the "Fly Girls" on "In Living Color," becoming a multi-platinum-selling music artist as well as one of the most celebrated and famous Latinas in the entertainment industry.

Selena Gomez

This Grand Prairie, Texas native, whose father was Mexican and mother Italian, made waves with her successful stint on the Disney hit "Wizards of Waverly Place" and has since parlayed that into a successful music career with Billboard-cracking hits like "Come and Get It" and "Slow Down." In addition, Gomez has been a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF and has worked to raise awareness of the struggles of children in Ghana. She was also romantically linked to superstar singer Justin Bieber.

Robert Rodriguez

Born in San Antonio to Mexican-American parents, Rodriguez became known for his grindhouse style of action and has left his mark on a slew of hit films like "Sin City", Desperado", "Machete", "Spy Kids" and more. On a quest to create a Latino superhero-type character, Rodriguez was contracted by the El Rey Network last year to do a Latino James Bond-like series featuring a famous soccer player-by-day turned super spy-by-night.

Joaquin Phoenix

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Phoenix has made himself into one of the most recognizable Latino names in Hollywood, and has become well-known for his roles in critically-acclaimed movies such as "Gladiator," "Walk the Line," and "The Master," the latter two for which he won an Academy Award for Best Actor. Phoenix is one of only a handful of Puerto Rican actors to have ever won an Oscar.

Politics

Antonio Villaraigosa

(former) Mayor, Los Angeles

Villaraigosa, of Mexican descent, served as mayor of a city with one of the largest Latino populations in the nation from 2005 through 2013. During his tenure, he pushed special legislation in the city that was aimed at improving the quality of life for undocumented residents, such as the creation of an ID card system for such immigrants that would allow them to open bank accounts and use public libraries. While he cannot run for mayor of L.A. due to term limits, rumors have surfaced that the Democratic star may be a possible candidate for a future California gubernatorial run.

Xavier Becerra

U.S. Rep, D-California

The son of Mexican immigrants, Becerra won election to the U.S. House in 1992 and has been making his presence felt since. Becerra serves on the Committee of Ways and Means and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the latter of which he chaired in the 90s, and he has been a vocal voice in Washington as the ongoing debate on immigration reform rages.

Marco Rubio

U.S. Senator, R-Florida

The son of Cuban parents, Rubio, who started as city commissioner of West Miami before serving in the Florida state House, rose to prominence after stunning incumbent governor Charlie Christ in the race for U.S. Senate in 2010. Since then, Rubio, one of only three Latinos in the U.S. Senate, has been seen as a rising star in the Republican Party and a possible GOP nominee for a presidential run in 2016.

Business

Linda G. Alvarado

Co-Owner, California Rockies; President and CEO, Alvarado Construction

This Albuquerue, New Mexico native started out poor in a family of six, and worked her way to founding a multimillion dollar construction company. Alvarado shattered the glass ceiling again in 1992 when she became the first Latino — male or female — to own a Major League Baseball team. Inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame, Alvarado has also been part of a Latino contingent of entrepreneurs that have lobbied the Obama administration to gather support for developing their business by increasing their access to capital.

Cesar Conde

Executive Vice President, NBCUniversal

Once the president and CEO of Univision Networks, the most influential and largest Spanish-language television company in the U.S., Conde, who has Peruvian family roots, helped launch the network's "Es el Momento" campaign that championed the importance of education to its Hispanic audience. Now, he oversees film and television distribution, news and more for NBCUniversal International, and is also in charge of leading strategic corporate priorities for NBCUniversal's domestic assets.

Jose R. Mas

President & CEO, MasTec, Inc.

The son of Cuban immigrant Jorge Mas Canosa, in 2007, Mas became CEO and president of the multi-national infrastructure construction company his father built. Under Mas's guidance, the company boasts a growth period including a doubling of revenues and a tripling of overall company earnings and is investing in renewable energy and the building of electrical transmission lines. Mas also serves on the U.S. Department of Commerce National Advisory Council on Minority Business Enterprises, which advises the Obama administration on issues having to do with fostering the expansion and competitiveness of minority-owned and operated businesses in the U.S.

Sports

Albert Pujols

MLB, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Pujols, hailing from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, has developed a reputation over the last few years as one of baseball's pre-eminent power hitters. After being drafted in the 13th round of the 1999 draft, Pujols has gone on to fill up his trophy case with the NL Rookie of the Year, the 2003 NL batting title, three NL MVP awards (2005, 2008, 2009) and two World Series titles with the St. Louis Cardinals before signing a 10-year, $254 million deal with the Angels in the 2011 offseason.

Manny Ramirez

Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic before moving to Washington heights in Manhattan, New York, Ramirez became one of baseball's most powerful-and most quirky-batters, earning 12 MLB All-Star game appearances, nine Silver Slugger awards, the AL batting and home run titles and two World Series rings with the Boston Red Sox.

Mariano Rivera

Born in Panama City, Panama, Rivera, who made his MLB debut in 1995 as the backup to New York Yankees closer John Wetteland, developed into arguably the greatest relief pitcher of all time. His overpowering 95-mph fastball and an arsenal of other pitches helped the Yankees win five World Series championships, while garnering him five AL Rolaids Relief Man Awards, a World Series MVP trophy, 13 All-Star selections and the all-time MLB record for career saves at 652 before he retired in 2013. Yankees fans fondly remember his iconic entrance to the rough guitar chords of "Enter Sandman."