an interest-bearing security issued by a bank or other financial intermediary that represents funds that must be kept on deposit for a specified period of time; if the funds are withdrawn prior to maturity, then the investor will incur a severe interest penalty.

France played a key role in the american revolutionary war (american war of independence; 1775–1783). motivated by the ideals of the new nation which were inspired by the french enlightenment, as well as its long-term rivalry with britain and so as to avenge their territorial losses during the french and indian war, france secretly began sending supplies to the americans in 1775.

Ghana, first of the great medieval trading empires of western africa (fl. 7th–13th century). it was situated between the sahara and the headwaters of the sénégal and niger rivers, in an area that now comprises southeastern mauritania and part of mali.