CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute

(CNN) -- CNN Heroes culminates in a live global broadcast from the American Museum of Natural History in New York on Thursday, December 6 at 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT, 2 a.m. Dec. 7 GMT, 10 a.m. Dec. 7 HKT).

"CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" -- hosted by CNN's Anderson Cooper and Christiane Amanpour -- honors the most outstanding viewer-nominated CNN Heroes as chosen by a Blue Ribbon Panel of world leaders and luminaries.

These are some of the people among us who look around and see a world of possibility and hope.

The CNN Heroes:

• 18 viewer-nominated CNN Heroes finalists selected from more than 7,000 names submitted by viewers in 80 countries.

• Viewers' Choice: The most popular CNN Hero profiled on air and online between May 1 and September 30, as chosen in a poll conducted on CNN.com

• Everyday Superheroes: Three remarkable people recognized by CNN for their spontaneous acts of courage in the face of danger:

• Wesley Autrey, who jumped onto New York subway tracks to save the life of a student;

• Zach Petkewicz, who helped prevent a shooter from killing a classroom of students at Virginia Tech;

• John Smeaton, a baggage handler who thwarted a terrorist attack at Glasgow Airport in Scotland.

Peabody winner producing gala

Joel Gallen, who has helmed ambitious telethon events supporting victims of both the September 11 terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina, serves as executive producer for the December 6 event.

Gallen won a Peabody Award for "America: A Tribute to Heroes" and has been nominated for several Emmys throughout his career.

From May 1 through September 30, CNN has featured everyday heroes across its television networks, digital services and at CNN.com/Heroes, encouraging viewers to submit and nominate local heroes they deem deserving of recognition.

In its first year, the CNN Heroes initiative received more than 7,000 nominations from viewers in 80 countries. More than 90 countries were represented among the nominees.

For the December 6 gala, honorees will be named in the following categories: Defending the Planet, Fighting for Justice, Community Crusader, Medical Marvel, Championing Children and Young Wonder. E-mail to a friend