Work
No Federal Law Requires Extra Pay for Working Thanksgiving
Federal law doesn't require holiday pay or time-and-a-half on Thanksgiving. Overtime starts past 40 hours a week; federal workers get a holiday premium.
Myths
History
Why We Carve Pumpkins, and Why Turnips Came First
Before pumpkins, people in Ireland and Britain carved turnips. How the word jack-o'-lantern, the turnip lantern and the American pumpkin came together.
Food
How to Cut an Onion Without Crying: What Lab Tests Show
A sharp knife and a slower cut reduce the droplets an onion sprays, Cornell lab tests found. Chilling, bread and candles lack the same evidence.
Science
Why Is the Sky Blue? Not the Ocean, and Not Quite Violet
Air molecules scatter blue light far more than red. Why the ocean and dust are not the cause, why the sky isn't violet, and why sunsets turn orange.
History
Why a Week Has 7 Days: Babylon, Seven Planets and Rome
The 7-day week doesn't fit the 29.53-day lunar month. It comes from Babylon, the Jewish Sabbath and Rome's planetary week, made official in 321 CE.