The world convulsed in a dozen directions during the turbulent 20th century. At the beginning of the century, the typical human was an illiterate farmer with a life expectancy of less than 45 years who lived in a nation ruled by a king or an emperor. Now, at the dawn of a new millennium, nearly two-thirds of the world's population lives in a democracy thanks to often bloody struggles to overthrow 25 monarchies and empires.
Most people now live in or near a major city.
The majority can read and write, have access to telecommunication technologies and enjoy a global life expectancy at least 22 years longer than that of their grandparents. But the price paid for these advances was staggering. The 50 million who died during World War II made that six-year struggle the bloodiest in history. Historians do agree, however, that no other century suffered more sheer slaughter. The century would provide even more stark opportunities to prove America's greatness.