August 14, 2008

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Profile America — Thursday, August 14th. The presidential campaigns have seen considerable discussion of the future of Social Security and how to ensure that it remains solvent. The program was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt 73 years ago today. At the time, the country was fighting the great Depression, and the program aimed to provide financial protection to retired workers over 65 — most of whom had no pension. The first monthly check under the system was issued in January 1940 to Ida May Fuller of Ludlow, Vermont, who received a check for $22.54. Now, there are more than 30 million retired workers receiving Social Security benefits, which average just over a $1,000 a month. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at <www.census.gov>.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2008, p. 409
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2008, t. 528
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2008edition.html

August 13, 2008

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Profile America — Wednesday, August 13th. Many sports fans couldn’t imagine trying to keep up with their favorite teams and players without their weekly issue of Sports Illustrated. The magazine first appeared on newsstands this week in 1954 and prospered in spite of critics’ worries that there wasn’t enough sports news to fill a weekly publication. The first cover showed National League umpire Augie Donatelli behind the plate, with catcher Wes Westrum and hitter Eddie Matthews. Through the years, Michael Jordan appeared on the cover 49 times and the New York Yankees 66 times. Magazines in the U.S. carry nearly $13.5 billion of advertising each year — compared with $48 billion in newspapers, and $47 billion on broadcast television. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at <www.census.gov>.

Sources: Statistical Abstract of the United States 2008, t. 1251
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2008edition.html

August 12, 2008

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Profile America — Tuesday, August 12th. The era of the personal computer made a big stride forward on this day 27 years ago, as IBM introduced its model 5150 — which quickly became known simply as the “PC.” There had been consumer models of computers on sale for some years before, such as the Commodore, but the IBM machine marked a turning point. Previously, the company was famous for its pioneering, large mainframe computers. Now, nearly three-quarters of all adults use a computer on a regular basis, either at work or at home. Among children, more than eight-out-of-10 use a computer at school, and nearly seven-out-of-10 have access to a computer at home. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at <www.census.gov>.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2008, p. 406
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2008, t. 1128, 253
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2008edition.html

August 11, 2008

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Profile America — Monday, August 11th. For people who love fireworks displays, there’s only one place to be for the rest of the week — the annual convention of the Pyrotechnics Guild International. This year’s event is at the Camplex in Gillette, Wyoming. The purpose is to promote the design and safe display of the finest quality pyrotechnics. Along with seminars and workshops, there will be fireworks events each evening, as the professionals compete for the title of “Grand Master.” The Guild’s emblem is the “green man,” going back when the person shooting off fireworks covered himself with fresh leaves for protection from sparks. U.S. firms export more than $17 million worth of fireworks each year — but we import another $217 million worth, mostly from China. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at <www.census.gov>.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Facts for Features, CB08-FF.10
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/011920.html

August 10, 2008

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Profile America — Sunday, August 10th. That booming noise echoing off the Black Hills in South Dakota is not approaching thunderstorms — it’s the sound of the world’s largest motorcycle gathering winding up a week of activities. Normally home to about 6,500, the town of Sturgis sees its population swell to some 500,000 during the rally — equal to about two-thirds the total population of South Dakota. The idea began with just 19 riders taking part in racing and stunt events 70 years ago. Those attending have seen races, trade shows and thousands of bikes on display. Mostly, they will share their love of the sense of freedom their motorcycles give them. There are just over 6 million motorcycles registered in the U.S., with California home to about every 10th bike in the country. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at <www.census.gov>.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2008, p. 395
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2008, t. 1066
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2008edition.html

August 9, 2008

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Profile America — Saturday, August 9th. Today and tomorrow will see the windup of the U.S. Women’s Amateur golf championship, being played at the Eugene Oregon Country Club. This event dates back to 1895, and is the third oldest on the U.S. Golf Association calendar, which this year has 13 tournaments on its schedule. Last year’s women’s amateur champion was 17-year- old Maria Jose Uribe from Columbia. The youngest champion in the series was Kimberly Kim, who won two years ago — just shy of her 15th birthday. Across the U.S., some 25 million people play golf each year — about one-out-of-five are women. There are nearly 16,000 golf courses in the country. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at <www.census.gov>.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2008, p. 396
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2008, t. 1222, 1216
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2008edition.html

August 8, 2008

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Profile America — Friday, August 8th. This is the time of year when many people who planted vegetable gardens in the spring are thinking twice about being so enthusiastic at seeing winter’s passing. They now have more produce than they can use themselves, or, maybe, even give away. That’s why today is one of the oddest observances of the year — it’s “Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbors’ Porch Night.” Across the U.S., more than one-of-every-five households has a vegetable garden — some very small and some quite impressive. Whether grown themselves or bought at the supermarket, Americans eat an average of close to 200 pounds of fresh veggies each year, including 21 pounds of onions and 20 pounds of lettuce. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at <www.census.gov>.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2008, p. 401
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2008, t. 1215, 206
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2008edition.html

August 7, 2008

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Profile America — Thursday, August 7th. An incident on this day in 1959 simultaneously made the world aware of Roseburg, Oregon — while destroying much of the small town. It began when a truck driver arrived too late to make his delivery to a building supply company. He parked his truck and got a room at a local hotel. Unfortunately, a fire broke out at the site during the night. More unfortunately, the truck carried 6½ tons of explosives. The resulting blast killed 24 people, injured 125 and damaged or destroyed 350 buildings. Windows were broken as far as nine miles away. At the time, Roseburg, Oregon had a population of 11,500. Today, it is home to just over 20,000. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at <www.census.gov>.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2008, p. 398
U.S. Census Bureau, American FactFinder
http://factfinder.census.gov/home/saff/main.html?_lang=en
Census Library, 1960 Census

August 6, 2008

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Profile America — Wednesday, August 6th. A landmark piece of civil rights legislation was signed into law on this day 43 years ago by President Lyndon Johnson — the Civil Rights Act of 1965. Among its provisions, the act outlawed attempts to discriminate against minority voters with literacy tests and poll taxes. The law has been extended four times, most recently in 2006, and some of its sections have been made permanent through the years. Much attention has been focused on the expected voter turnout among minorities in the current presidential campaign. In the election of 2004, 60 percent of African-Americans voted, as well as 44 percent of Asians and 47 percent of Hispanics. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at <www.census.gov>.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2008, p. 398
U.S. Census Bureau, Facts for Features, CB07-FFSE.05
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/010725.html

August 5, 2008

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Profile America — Tuesday, August 5th. Today marks the 25th anniversary of a unique battle against crime — it’s the annual National Night Out. All across the country, citizens, law enforcement agencies and neighborhood organizations will gather for block parties, cookouts and parades. The idea is to heighten awareness of crime and drug prevention efforts, increase support for local anti-crime programs, and strengthen partnerships between communities and police. Last year, more than 34 million people in 10,000 communities took part in the National Night Out. And there is plenty of crime to be on the watch for. Each year in the U.S., there are nearly 1.4 million violent crimes and more than 10 million property crimes. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at <www.census.gov>.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2008, p. 396
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2008, t. 299
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2008edition.html