Wilson Smith

(1945-2005). With his work chronicling the collective experience of African Americans, U.S. playwright August Wilson established himself as one of America's most significant-and ambitious-writers of the 20th century. Wilson, who considered himself a black nationalist, thought that African Americans had "the most dramatic story of all mankind to tell." He took it upon himself to tell that story through a projected series of ten plays, each exploring a crucial issue facing African Americans in a different decade of the 20th century.

(or Bill W.) (1895-1971), founder, with Robert Holbrook Smith (Dr. Bob S.), of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA); voluntary fellowship of alcoholic persons seeking to get sober or remain sober through self-help and help of other recovered alcoholics; members identify themselves only by first name and surname initial; began in May 1935 in meeting of the two men attempting to overcome their drinking problems; drawing from their own experiences, set out to help fellow alcoholics; by late 20th century AA had some 2 million members forming about 63,000 groups in 114 countries.

Roosevelt was a strong believer in the League of Nations (see League of Nations). In the 1920 campaign, the Democratic party made its fight on a platform in favor of the League. Roosevelt hoped to see his friend Gov. Alfred E. Smith of New York nominated. He worked for Smith at the convention.

Alabama's rich natural resources for agriculture include a long growing season, plenty of rainfall, and a variety of soils. Alabama is one of the leading lumber-producing states, with almost two thirds of the state forested. The chief commercial trees are pines; other important woods are oak, gum, and yellow poplar. Valuable industrial resources include rich deposits of coal, iron ore, limestone, marble, kaoline, clay, cement, and crushed stone.

From his sickroom President Wilson called for a "solemn referendum" on the Versailles peace treaty in the presidential election of 1920. The Republicans nominated an antitreaty senator from Ohio, Warren G. Harding. Harding won the election by a big margin over the Democratic candidate, James M. Cox.