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Interesting Facts About Traffic Signals 

- The first traffic signal appeared before cars were common. 

The world's first known traffic signal was installed in London in 1868, outside the British Parliament. It used gas-powered lamps and was operated by a police officer. It exploded less than a year later.

- Red means stop for a reason. 

Red has long been associated with danger and warning. It is also visible from a greater distance than many other colors, making it a practical choice for telling drivers to stop.

- The first electric traffic light appeared in 1914.

Installed in Cleveland, Ohio, it had red and green lights and a buzzer to warn drivers when the signal was changing. A yellow light was added to traffic signals later.

- Traffic lights are not always timed the same way. 

Some signals use fixed schedules, while others use sensors, cameras or other detection technology to adjust green-light timing based on traffic conditions.

- The green light doesn't always mean you can go. 

A green signal gives drivers permission to proceed when it is safe and legal. Drivers must still yield to pedestrians, watch for vehicles running red lights and make sure an intersection is clear.

Did you know? The familiar three-color traffic signal system has become a worldwide standard, helping drivers, cyclists and pedestrians navigate busy streets more safely

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OCTOBER 23, 2026

Almost all coral reef ecosystems 
face risk of collapse in 50 years, study warns

The world’s coral reef ecosystems almost all face a high risk of collapse in the next 50 years, mostly due to warming oceans and heat waves, according to a global assessment released Thursday.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s assessment, announced on the sidelines of a U.N. biodiversity conference in Albania, found that 96% of shallow-water reef systems are already critically endangered and could disappear by 2075.

Most of the world’s famous reef systems — including the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Coral Triangle in the Western Pacific Ocean and Southeast Asia, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System and the Red Sea coral reefs — are all critically endangered, the highest level of threat.

This next batch of elected senators 

will decide the fate of Social Security

Social Security’s future will be shaped by the senators elected in the next election. Their decisions could affect the benefits millions of older Americans depend on after a lifetime of working and paying taxes. With the program facing a long-term funding shortfall, the next Senate will have to confront difficult choices about how to keep Social Security financially secure. For today’s seniors and the generations preparing for retirement, the stakes could hardly be higher.

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How continuing to work will impact

 your Social Security check next year

Planning to keep working while collecting Social Security? Your paycheck could affect how much of your benefits you receive next year. Depending on your age and how much you earn, Social Security may temporarily withhold some benefits if your income exceeds certain limits. But working longer can also increase your future benefit in some cases. Before deciding whether to stay on the job, it pays to understand the rules and how they could affect your monthly check in 2027.

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Have Something to

 Look Forward to Every Day

Retirement gives us more freedom to decide how we spend our time, but it can also leave us wondering what each new day will bring. Having something to look forward to, whether it’s lunch with a friend, a phone call with a grandchild, a favorite hobby, or simply getting outside for a walk, can make a real difference. As we get older, it’s important to have reasons to get up in the morning and feel that the day ahead holds something worthwhile. It doesn't have to be a big event. Sometimes, the little things give us the most to look forward to.

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Why autoimmune disease 

is harder to catch in older adults 

— and what helps

Autoimmune diseases can be difficult to diagnose at any age, but spotting them in older adults can be especially challenging. Symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, weakness, and memory problems are often mistaken for normal aging or other health conditions. As a result, diagnosis may be delayed, leaving older adults without the treatment they need. Knowing which warning signs to watch for, communicating changes to your doctor, and getting the right tests can help uncover these conditions sooner and improve the chances of getting appropriate care.

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Why older adults are encouraged 

to embrace, not ignore, AI in the workplace

Artificial intelligence is changing the workplace, and older workers shouldn't be left behind. While some may view AI as confusing, intimidating, or a threat to their jobs, learning to use these tools can help older adults stay productive, improve their skills, and remain competitive in a changing job market. You don't have to become a technology expert to benefit. Understanding how AI works and where it can help may open new opportunities, make everyday tasks easier, and show employers that experience and a willingness to learn can go hand in hand.

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-  Bacon Has Been Around for Centuries 

The Chinese were curing pork bellies with salt as far back as 1500 B.C., making bacon-like foods thousands of years old.

- Bacon Was Once a Sign of Good Luck 

In medieval England, a man who could honestly say he had not argued with his wife for a year and a day could win a side of bacon in certain local traditions.

- Bacon Comes From Different Cuts of Pork 

American bacon usually comes from the pork belly. In Britain, bacon is often made from the back of the pig, producing a leaner cut.

- Bacon's Smell Has a Scientific Explanation 

Cooking bacon releases hundreds of aroma compounds. The combination of fats, sugars, and amino acids creates its distinctive savory smell.

- Bacon Is High in Sodium 

Bacon is typically cured with salt and often contains significant sodium. It is also classified as processed meat, and frequent consumption is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Enjoying it occasionally is a sensible approach.

* Bacon trivia: The word bacon comes from an old Germanic word meaning “back” or “buttock,” referring to the parts of the pig used for meat.