1 The December 26, 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was caused by an earthquake that is thought to have had the energy of 23,000 Hiroshima-type atomic bombs. 2  The epicenter of the 9.0 magnitude quake was located in the Indian Ocean near the west coast of Sumatra.
The concept of a self-service grocery store was developed by entrepreneur Clarence Saunders and his Piggly Wiggly stores. His first store opened in 1916. Saunders was awarded a number of patents for the ideas he incorporated into his stores. The stores were a financial success and Saunders began to offer franchises.
In 1991, Wal-Mart opened its first store outside of the United States, in Mexico City. In 2000, Fortune Magazine named Wal-Mart the number five Global Most Admired All-Star and in 2003 and 2004 Fortune upped the ranking to number one.