Walmart is one of the largest corporations in the world. With over 5,700 stores worldwide, it is one of the largest retailers in the world. Although they are a worldwide power in the retail shopping world, they were the brainchild of a man named Sam Walton.

Sam Walton was born on March 29, 1918 in a small town called Kingfisher, Oklahoma. Walton and family lived on the family farm in Kingfisher until 1923, when they gave up the farm and moved to Chesterfield, Missouri. Walton’s father gave up farming to become a businessman. After moving to several other towns in Missouri during the Depression, Sam Walton learned the value of money and developed his entrepreneurial spirit. He helped earn money for the family by taking any small jobs available.

After graduating from High School, Walton attended the University of Missouri, graduating with a B.A. in Economics. When he graduated from college, Walton took a job as a management trainee at J.C. Penney, where he worked until being drafted into the Army during World War II. During the war Walton was a member of the Army Intelligence Corp, rising to the rank of Captain.

After being discharged from the Army, Walton used a loan from his father and money saved while in the Army to purchase a Ben Franklin Store in Newport, Arkansas. It was while operating this store that Walton started to put into use some of the concepts that Walmart has been known for. His store became known for having a wide range of products at discounted prices. Walton was able to do this by purchasing products at the lowest prices from distributers.

The success of the initial Ben Franklin store, led Walton to want to expand his ideas to other areas. During the next several years, Walton opened stores in other markets, and by 1962 operated 16 Ben Franklin Stores located throughout Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri.

In 1962, Walton made his biggest step by opening the first Walmart store in Rogers, Arkansas. This was the first of many Walmart stores opening using the idea of discount, American made items. His Walmart stores quickly became popular with the average American, and over the next several decades, Walmart became the fastest growing, and most popular, retail store in the country.

Sam Walton and the Walmart brand became known worldwide, and still flourishes today. However, Sam Walton died on April 5, 1992 at the age of 74. Walton died from a form of blood cancer. His ownership in one of the biggest corporations has remained in the Walton family since his death.

However, the Walton legacy continues today, with the Walmart stores continuing to follow the principals he established over 60 years ago with his first store in Arkansas. To learn more about Sam Walton, his life and legacy, we have put together a collection of resources:

• Sam Walton Biography – informative look at Sam Walton, the man behind Walmart.
• Walmart Founder – information on Sam Walton from the Walmart website.
• Sam Walton Biography – biographical look at the business life of Sam Walton.
• Walton Early Years – beginning of the business career of Sam Walton.
• Sam Walton – brief biographical look at Sam Walton.
• Walton’s Ten Rules for Success – listing of Sam Walton’s ten rules for business success.
• Global Success – story from the BBC on the global impact of Walmart.
• Walton Biography – useful information on the life of Sam Walton.
• Great From the Start – interesting account of how Sam Walton got his start in business.
• Child of the Depression – recounting of the early years of the Depression with Sam Walton.
• Biography of Sam Walton – a short biography of the Walmart founder.
• Birthplace of Walmart – information on the location of the birthplace of Walmart.
• Walmart History – timeline of the history of the Walmart franchise.
• Brief History of Walmart – a short summary covering the history of the Walmart Corporation.