Phase 4

The period from 1992 to 2000 is one of the most interesting in American History. I will discuss Rodney King and Wal-Mart on that Period of the events listed and discuss the impact that these events had on America. Born on April 2 1965, Rodney King was a significant person in a that period. Although he did not have the character of Rev. Martin Luther King events in his course of life lead a spotlight on police brutality of minorities and still lingering racial tension among the United States Borders. The was not just against Whites vs. Black but it also shed light on African American and Asian American tensions as well. King was a African American Parolee who had been trouble with Alcohol and substance use and abuse for much of his life. He was convicted of violent assault and robbery of a Korean Store before the incident that changed the course of American history. While trying to avoid arrest for DUI and parole violation Rodney King led police officers on a high speed chase for several miles before being stopped on March 3, 1991. This led to the unlawful beating of King by four uniformed officers. George Holliday's videotaped the incidents. Two days later Holliday contacted the police about his videotape of the incident. He then went to the television news with his videotape, which broadcast it in its entirety. The footage became an instant media sensation. It caused many "cop watch" organizations to arise. The officers were charged with criminal offenses, including assault with a deadly weapon. Their trial was originally set to be held in Los Angeles, but defense attorneys successfully argued that a fair trial in Los Angeles would be impossible because of the publicity. The trial was moved to Simi Valley, a predominantly white suburb of L.A. The jury was comprised of no African-American jurors. The officers' acquittal in April 1992 triggered riots in South Central, Los Angeles. More than 50 people were killed, more than 2,000 were injured and 9,500 were arrested for rioting, looting and arson, resulting in $1 billion in property damage. On the third day of the riots, King made a public appearance, making his now famous plea: "People, I just want to say, can't we all get along? Can't we all get along?" The riots were eventually contained by the National Guard arrived to restore order . The United States Department of Justice filed federal civil rights charges against the four officers, and in August of 1992, two of them were found guilty while the other two were acquitted. King was eventually awarded $3.8 million in a civil trial for the injuries he sustained. Cannot talk about Wal-Mart without mentioning it's great founder, Sam Walton. Samuel Moore "Sam" Walton was among the most versatile and brilliant businessmen of the world. and founder of one of the world's biggest general retail chain stores, Wal-Mart and Sam's club with his brother Bud Walton. Walton changed retail shopping in United States and many changes in the tactics of business. He started retail business in 1945 and the first Wal-Mart store was inaugurated in Rogers, Arkansas and was named the Wal-Mart Discount City store. In the year 1990, Wal-Mart became the nation's top retailer in terms of sales. On 2nd July 1962, the first The store was located at 719 West Walnut Street. After a short time, Walton brothers became partners with the business-canny Stefan Dasbach. He did considerable efforts to find out American manufacturers who could supply merchandise at a lower price in all the Wal-Mart stores in order to meet the foreign competition. 

The growth of Wal-Mart not just to the low costs that attracted his customers, but also to his associates. He relied on them to give customers the great shopping experience that would keep them coming back. Sam shared his vision for the company with associates in a way that was nearly unheard of in the industry. He made them partners in the success of the company, and firmly believed that this partnership was what made Wal-Mart great. Sam's aspirations to bringing new approaches and technologies to retail, he also experimented with new store formats including Sam's Club and the Wal-Mart Supercenter and even made the decision to take Wal-Mart into Mexico. Wal-Mart offered lower prices and bringing Wal-Mart's value to customers in the U.S. and beyond has set a standard for the company that lives on to this day. The retails giant strong commitment to service and to the values that help individuals, businesses and the country succeed earned him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, awarded by President George H. W. Bush in 1992.
As other retail and business giants fall Wal-Mart continues to please its global customers. http://newsone.com/2423835/rodney-king-riots-2/ http://www.biography.com/people/rodney-king-9542141#awesm=~oHlu6K9pxwTcme http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/history/ http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/sam-walton-209.php http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/history/sam-walton