In 1931, the New York Yankees faced 17-year-old pitcher Jackie Mitchell, one of the few women with a baseball contract. She struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, leading some to wonder if it was a stunt. Baseball commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis later voided her contract and declared women unfit to play baseball. In the […]
An official strike is a labor protest that must follow certain regulations, often initiated by unions. Disputes usually involve dissatisfaction with wages or working conditions, and rules for an official strike vary widely. Employers must be notified, and striking workers are held liable for any property damage they cause. An official strike is a labor […]
Bird strikes are a significant hazard to aviation, with the potential to cause catastrophic damage. They are more likely to occur during takeoff or descent, and airports often provide ideal habitats for birds. Measures such as fail-safes and radar can reduce the risk, but bird strikes still cause substantial damage each year. The pulverized bird […]
A wildcat strike is an unauthorized strike while a union contract is in effect or being negotiated. It is illegal and can result in firing without legal repercussions. Strikes are work stoppages to force concessions, but authorized strikes are legally permitted and protected. Wildcat strikes occur when workers feel the union isn’t doing enough to […]
A writers strike, such as the one in 2007, can have a crippling effect on the television and film industry. Without writers, shows run out of scripts and production must end. This results in delayed filming, fewer new episodes, and less revenue from commercial ad placements. It is in everyone’s best interest to resolve a […]
Different foot positions during running include heel, midfoot, and forefoot. Heel striking is common but can cause injury, while midfoot and forefoot striking can reduce stress on the legs and improve speed. Barefoot running shoes require an adjusted gait, which can also lead to injury. In the world of running, for years there has been […]
Lightning can strike the same place multiple times, with the Empire State Building being hit over 20 times a year. The odds of being struck by lightning are higher than most people think, and it is one of the deadliest climate-related killers in the US. Lightning can strike in more than one place and can […]
Count the seconds between lightning and thunder, divide by five for miles or three for kilometers. Take cover if the interval is 30 seconds or less. If you see lightning in the distance and then hear the rumble of thunder, you can tell how far away the storm is. Just count the number of seconds […]
A strike is when workers stop working to pressure their employer to comply with demands. Strikes can be organized by unions or informal groups, and can take different forms such as sit-down or sympathy strikes. Depending on the region or country, strikes may or may not be legally protected. Some strikes are organized by non-workers, […]
A sit-down strike is a form of civil disobedience used by workers to protest labor issues by physically occupying the workplace. It prevents employers from hiring replacement workers and forces attention to the dispute. The concept was adopted in the 20th century by unions, with the famous UAW sit-down strike in Flint, Michigan in 1936-1937. […]
A motion to strike can be made to remove part or all of a legal brief, evidence, or testimony from the record. Lawyers file it if the information is problematic, irrelevant, incorrect, or defamatory. The judge rules on the matter after both parties have been heard. Written motions can be filed before the trial, and […]
Hit-anywhere matches ignite when struck against various surfaces, but work best on rough, dry ones. The first matches were sulfur-coated sticks in China and flammable string in Europe. Safety matches were developed in the 1840s, and less volatile versions followed. Storm matches light in damp or windy conditions and are useful for camping and emergencies. […]
Skylab 4’s mission studied how astronauts could cope with extended time in space. The astronauts took a day off, blacking out communication with Mission Control, leading to a reduced workload and increased range. This forced NASA to reconsider its treatment of astronaut crews. Part of Skylab 4’s mission goal was to study how astronauts could […]
Hunger strikes are a non-violent form of protest where a prisoner or protester refuses to eat solid and/or liquid food to gain political or social leverage. The tactic has been used for centuries, but became famous during India’s fight for independence. While it can create problems for captors, there is no guarantee of success and […]
