1. Globaliza

tion• The linking of nations

through trade, information,

technologies, and communication.

• This often involves increased integration of different societies.

2. Interdependenc

e • Relying on or requiring a person or

thing for support, supply, or what is

needed. • Ex: Technology has given us

dependable communication links and the greater ability to trade with our global partners.

3. Outsourci

ng• For the United States,

doing this to American jobs has sometimes

harmed sectors of the U.S. economy.

• Other countries with lower standards of living and lower salary levels

are gaining wealth while jobs in the U.S. are lost to

outside nations.

4. Telecommun

ications• New technologies in the area of

communication have dramatically affected American

life. The use of pagers, cell phones, and television are all

forms of this.

6. TerrorismThe use of violence and threats to intimidate or

coerce, especially for political purposes.

*Since September 11, 2001 an increase in these activities have made the world seem like a very scary place. In the 21st century,

the United States has been involved in many conflicts in the Middle East including a war in

Iraq and Afghanistan.

7. PandemicThis is an epidemic that spreads over a

wide geographic area and can cause misery and death to people around

the world. ex: The 2005 the H1N1

(“Swine Flu”).

8. Charles DrewHe was an African-American

doctor who developed a better way to store the

plasma portion of blood with the creation of the

first blood bank. His work saved millions of lives. He

started the Red Cross Blood Bank but, resigned in protest when asked

to keep “white” blood separate. This man was also the first black surgeon to be on the American

Board of Surgery.

9. J. Robert OppenheimerHe was the scientific

director of the Manhattan Project, which gave the

United States its first nuclear weapon.

He is sometimes referred to as “The Father of the

Atomic Bomb.” (a description he hated)

10. Frank Lloyd WrightHe was an amazing architect who created Fallingwater, a home inspired by his love of

nature, New York City’s Guggenhelm

Museum, and many other amazing

building during his lifetime as a great

cultural leader.

11. Martha GrahamShe was hailed as the “Dancer of the Century”

and a “national treasure”. She created a whole new style of

dance including movements that were jagged, angular, and

full of emotion. Today her vision lives on with a world-

famous dance company named in her honor.

12. Henry Louis GatesHe is a ground-breaking

educator and history professor at Harvard

University. He devotes his life to the study of both African and African-American cultural backgrounds

and genealogy.

13. Maya Angelou This woman is a world

famous African-American poet, teacher,

best-selling author, actress, civil rights

activist, producer, and director.

Her poems, I Know Why the caged Bird Sings and “I Rise,”

expressing the struggles of African-Americans have become

classics.

14. Bill Gates This billionaire got his start messing

around in his high school computer lab, at a time when computers were difficult to use. He dropped out of

college to work on something brand new – small personal computers

(PC’s). His company, Microsoft, went on to make

billions of dollars, much of which he has given to support health and education around the world through the “Bill and

Melinda Gates Foundation.”

15. Ray KrocThis man is best known for

franchising McDonald’s and creating the American

“fast food” industry. He began investing in real estate

throughout the U.S. in order to build additional franchises, a move that

made him $500 million and a legend. Today, the McDonald’s empire has expanded around the world and is

worth billions.