Capitalism has been used to justify callousness, exploitation, even slavery. But among the greed weeds grow flowers of generosity and altruism, proof that capitalism is a human institution that can occasionally respond to our better natures.

Between A.D. 25 and 32 -- Jesus throws the money changers out of the temple.

1736 -- Philadelphia newspaper publisher Benjamin Franklin organizes the first North American volunteer fire brigade.

July 4, 1851 -- The city of Baltimore celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence by releasing all debtors from jail and firing guns in their honor.

1881 -- Steel magnate Andrew Carnegie begins construction on a library in his hometown of Dunfermline, Scotland -- the first of some 2,800 libraries he will fund.

1917 -- The National Industrial Conference Board, a business organization, endorses the eight-hour workday.

1919 -- Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company starts its Industrial Assembly, a kind of model House of Representatives designed to give its 30,000 employees more say in company affairs.

1946 -- John D. Rockefeller Jr. donates $8.5 million to the United Nations for the site of its permanent headquarters in New York City.

1953 -- In his book Social Responsibilities of the Businessman, pioneer Howard Bowen makes the case for corporate social responsibility.

1978 -- The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility creates and coordinates the South African divestiture movement.

1981 -- Musician Tom Petty threatens to change his album title from Hard Promises to $8.98 when MCA tries to sell it for $9.98. Petty prevails.

1982 -- Actor Paul Newman founds Newman's Own, a for-profit food company that donates all profits to some 1,000 charities.

1985 -- Telecom Working Assets is founded with a social agenda: to support progressive causes.

1988 -- At the request of Mexican coffee farmers, the Netherlands launches Max Havelaar, the first guaranteed fair trade label.

1994 -- Rugmark Foundation, a nonprofit that works to end slavery in the rug and carpet industry, is established by rug companies and human rights organizations.

1997 -- Media mogul Ted Turner announces his intention to donate $1 billion to the United Nations over 10 years.

1999 -- Mattel launches research to find organic substitutes for plastics used in its toys.

2000 -- After widespread protests, McDonald's imposes new guidelines for its egg suppliers, banning the withholding of food and water from chickens and phasing out debeaking.

March 2001 -- Tobacco giant BAT donates $7 million to the University of Nottingham to develop the International Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility.