1) Emma Watson is a British actress and activist known for her role as Hermione Granger in the "Harry Potter" film series. She has since starred in films such as "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" and has been actively involved in promoting gender equality and women's rights.

2) The game of basketball was invented by Dr. James Naismith in 1891 and has since grown into a global sport played at both amateur and professional levels.

3) Democracy is a system of government in which power is vested in the people, who exercise it through elected representatives. It allows for political participation, freedom of speech, and protection of individual rights and liberties.

4) The discovery of the Americas by Christopher Columbus in 1492 opened up new trade routes and had a profound impact on world history.