By Matt Phifer

$15/Hour – The Wage Fast-Food Workers were Seeking During a Nationwide Strike

Fast-food workers in 60 cities across the United States including New York and Detroit walked out on August 29^th to demand higher salaries.  The workers, who typically make minimum wage, want their salaries to increase to $15 per hour, almost twice the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.

50 Years – Since Martin Luther King Jr.’s Famous “I have a dream” Speech

August 28^th was the 50^th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I have a dream” speech at the March on Washington.  The day was celebrated with speeches by President Obama as well as speeches by former Presidents Clinton and Carter.  Despite intermittent rain, a large crowd still gathered on the National Mall in the shadows of the Lincoln Memorial to commemorate the anniversary.

1,429 – People Killed in the August 21^st Chemical Weapons Attack in Syria

On August 30^th, Secretary of State John Kerry announced that the U.S. had determined that 1,429 Syrians were killed in the August 21^st chemical weapons attacks throughout Damascus.  Kerry added that 429 children were among the dead as he laid the argument out for an American strike on Syrian government installations in the wake of the chemical attacks perpetrated by the Assad regime.  In a later interview, Kerry said that blood and hair samples from the dead showed signs of sarin gas.  Syria is in the midst of a civil war that has lasted two years and left an estimated 100,000 people dead.

By Matt Phifer

6.6 – Magnitude Earthquake Hit China

A 6.6 magnitude earthquake shook northwest China on July 23.  At least 75 people were killed by the earthquake, which caused mud slides and damaged thousands of homes.  The quake left over 450 more people injured and around 14,000 homes without power.

8 lb 6 oz – The Weight of the Royal Baby

On July 22 Kate Middleton gave birth to a new baby boy, weighing 8 lb 6 oz, at London’s St. Mary’s Hospital.  The boy, now named George, is third in line to the throne behind Prince Charles and Prince William. 

78 – People killed in the Spanish High Speed Rail Crash

A high speed train wreck in Spain killed 78 people on July 24^th.  The death toll was labeled as high as 80 at one point, but reduced after a forensics teams sifted through the wreck.  The El Paris newspaper reported that the train was traveling 118 mph into the turn where the crash occurred.  The speed limit on that section of the track is only 50 mph.

$380 Million – Expected Boost to the UK Economy due to the Royal Baby

The birth of Prince George is a joyous occasion for not just the Duck and Duchess of Cambridge, but all of the UK.  Some economists estimate the UK economy will get a $380 million boost because of the royal baby’s birth.

By Matt Phifer

Over 15 Hours: The Amount of Time the Jury Deliberated in the George Zimmerman Trial

The six member jury in the George Zimmerman trial found Zimmerman not guilty of second degree murder in the killing of Trayvon Martin after 15 hours of deliberations over two days.  Zimmerman’s attorneys claimed that Zimmerman was justified to use deadly force on Trayvon Martin under Florida’s Stand-Your-Ground law because he felt he was in danger of major bodily harm.

$117 Billion: Surplus by the U.S. in June

On July 11 the U.S. Treasury Department announced that it had a monthly surplus of $117 billion.  According to the Congressional Budget Office the surplus was bolstered by a $59 billion payment by Fannie Mae and $287 billion in revenue.  June is the fifth month since October 2011 in which the government has posted a surplus.