You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format or as a .wav file.

Profile America -- Sunday, January 1st. The place where many of our ancestors first stepped ashore when they came to America seeking a new life opened on this date in 1892 -- Ellis Island in New York Harbor. The very first immigrant processed at the new facility was a 15-year-old Irish girl named Annie Moore. Over the course of more than 60 years, some 12 million people flowed through the center. Some sources say the number is considerably higher. The peak year was 1907, when just over a million immigrants came to Ellis Island. The complex now belongs to the National Park Service and is visited by several million people a year. In 1910, the foreign-born represented some 15 percent of America's population. Now, that figure is 12½ percent. 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 2012, p. 66
www.ellisisland.org
Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970, p. 8, 14
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 38
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012edition.html

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format or as a .wav file.

Profile America -- Monday, January 2nd. Yesterday -- New Year's Day -- was strangely silent on the college football bowl game scene, but things really heat up today. In the center spotlight is the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The first Rose Bowl was played 110 years ago, between Michigan and Stanford. In the nation's first postseason game, Michigan won, 49-to-0. In the next few days, the Sugar, Orange, and Cotton bowls will wind up the college football postseason. Across the nation, 639 colleges and universities have football teams, all struggling for invitations to bowl games. These teams are seen each year by 50 million loyal fans. 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 2012, p. 70, 71, 72, 75
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 1244
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012edition.html

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format or as a .wav file.

Profile America -- Tuesday, January 3rd. Concern over the price of oil along with air quality has renewed interest in the U.S. about cars powered with diesel engines. The first trip by a diesel-powered car in the U.S. began on this day in 1930, when C.L. Cummins drove a converted Packard sedan from Indianapolis, arriving in New York City three days later. He covered just under 800 miles for a total fuel cost of $1.38. Compared to regular gasoline engines, diesels get far more miles per gallon. Each year in the U.S., motor vehicles use 168 billion gallons of fuel --averaging just over 17½ miles per gallon. Profile America is produced by the U.S. Census Bureau: Measuring America--People, Places, and Our Economy.

Sources: Kane's Famous First Facts, 5474
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 1102
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012edition.html

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format or as a .wav file.

Profile America -- Wednesday, January 4th. Today, when a home is damaged or destroyed by fire, there usually is no question that it was insured against such a catastrophe. The first fire insurance company in America was the Friendly Society for the Mutual Insurance of Houses against Fire, organized in 1735 in Charleston, South Carolina. The company was apparently swamped with claims after a disastrous fire in 1740. The first full-time, professional fire fighting company was formed in 1853 in Cincinnati. It was also the first to use steam-powered fire engines. In the U.S., there are more than 1.3 million fires each year, over a quarter of them in residential buildings. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at <www.census.gov>.

Sources: Kane's Famous First Facts, 4529
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 356
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012edition.html

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format or as a .wav file.

Profile America -- Thursday, January 5th. In spite of the flood of advancing technology, one item remains of almost universal interest across the nation -- what will the weather be like today? Millions of Americans still hear about the day's weather on their radios -- in the kitchen, driving to work or at work. The first weather forecast broadcast on radio was heard this week in 1921 over station 9XM of the University of Wisconsin. The first radio weather forecasts for the federal government were aired in April of that year by station WEW in St. Louis. Weather is one of the staples of the daily broadcast schedule on the nation's nearly 11,300 stations. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at <www.census.gov>.

Sources: Kane's Famous First Facts, 6769
Wisconsin Public Radio
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 1132
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012edition.html

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format or as a .wav file.

Profile America -- Friday, January 6th. Today would be a good day to add a smile to the tip you leave at your favorite restaurant -- this is Be Kind to Food Servers Month, a time to express appreciation to the many dedicated waiters and waitresses who make eating out a pleasure. From small diners and bars, up to top-rated, five-star restaurants, there are more than 820,000 eating establishments across the nation, catering to every taste from beer to single malt scotch, and from ham and eggs to poached salmon. Working in these places are just over 2 million women and men, who deal with separate checks and make sure we get either regular or decaf coffee and who tend to our needs mostly with a smile and a good natured word. 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 2012, p. 65
Wisconsin Public Radio
2007 Economic Census, NAICS 722
http://www.census.gov/econ/industry/hierarchy/i722.htm
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 616
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012edition.html

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format or as a .wav file.

Profile America -- Saturday, January 7th. The first chartered American bank opened its doors on this date in Philadelphia in 1782. The Bank of North America, established by Congress, helped reduce some of the financial chaos that marked the Colonial Era. Britain had enforced a shortage of official coinage to carry out everyday activities -- a policy that helped provoke the American Revolution. In North Carolina alone, there were 17 different forms of currency circulating before the Revolution. And in Virginia, tobacco was used as currency for over 200 years. Now, there are more than 95,000 commercial and savings banks across the U.S. Together, these institutions have more than $13 trillion of assets. 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 2012, p. 77
440 International Calendar, Those Were the Days
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 1177
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012edition.html

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format or as a .wav file.

Profile America -- Sunday, January 8th. The landscape of the nation's telephone service changed forever on this date 30 years ago when AT&T agreed to give up its local Bell System companies. The action came as the result of what has been termed the most significant antitrust suit since the breakup of Standard Oil in 1911. Before, the virtual monopoly of what had come to be known as "Ma Bell," controlled America's telephone equipment and lines. Today, competitive forces among many carriers shape telephone service. But the real action is in the cell phone industry, which now has some 303 million subscribers -- swiftly approaching the level of one phone for every person in the U.S. 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 2012, p. 78
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 1149
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012edition.html

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format or as a .wav file.

Profile America -- Monday, January 9th. The beginning of a new year is traditionally the time for a fresh start -- getting things organized both at home and at work. That's why this is National Clean-Off-Your-Desk Day. Experts say that the average person uses just 20 percent of the stuff on their desk to accomplish 80 percent of their work. Noting that a messy computer is less obvious than a messy desk and how important computers are in the modern home and workplace, it's also National Clean Up Your Computer Month. More than three-quarters of U.S. adults use a computer either at home or on the job, and the same proportion use the Internet. Sending e-mails, getting maps or driving instructions, watching videos, and buying a product online are the most common computer uses. 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 2012, p. 67, 79
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 1158, 1159
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012edition.html

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format or as a .wav file.

Profile America -- Tuesday, January 10th. A new recording format appeared on this date in 1949 -- the 45 rpm 7-inch record with a big hole in the center, developed by RCA. So-called "long-play" recordings, either 10 or 12 inches and turning at 33 rpm, had been around for a few years, but older, 78 rpm technology was still used for recording single musical selections. The new 45s soon took over the pop single market, and the little records became the favorite of teenagers across the country until 8-track tapes and cassettes came along. More recently, CDs have been the standard, but they are giving way quickly to electronically downloaded music. Nonetheless, Americans still buy about $3.4 billion worth of CDs each year. Profile America is in its 15th year as a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.

Sources: 440 International Calendar, Those Were the Days
Today in Science History
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 1140
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012edition.html

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format or as a .wav file.

Profile America -- Profile America -- Wednesday, January 11th. At this time of year, a lot of sales material that comes in the mail is aimed at those who are tired of winter -- ads for Caribbean cruises, sporty convertibles and mail order catalogs filled with flowers and plants for spring. For an avid gardener, there's nothing better on a wintry day than to curl up with some colorful catalogs and dream about next spring's garden. That's why this is Mail Order Gardening Month, a time to plan which flowers and shrubs should go in which garden bed. More than two-thirds of American households enjoy some sort of gardening activity. About three-out-of-10 keep indoor houseplants or raise flowers, while nearly one-out-of-five plant flower bulbs or garden in containers. 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 2012, t. 1242
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012edition.html

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format or as a .wav file.

Profile America -- Thursday, January 12th. The recovering U.S. automobile industry is putting its best on display at the important North American International Auto Show in Detroit, which opened last Monday. After several days for media and industry representatives, the show opens to the public on Saturday. With 760,000 expected to attend. Those watching the U.S. auto industry will be closely looking at some 70 new models and the public's reaction to them. Small cars, innovative designs, and especially fuel economy are most likely to be in the limelight. In the years before the economic downturn hit, U.S. auto dealers sold about 16 million cars and light trucks each year. By 2009, that number had dropped to less than 11 million. Profile America is in its 15th year as a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2012, p. 79
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 1060
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012edition.html

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format or as a .wav file.

Profile America -- Friday, January 13th. What to do with leftover fruitcake? One novel answer will be on view tomorrow in Manitou Springs, Colorado, at the town's 17th annual Great Fruitcake Toss. The occasion will draw thousands of hardy spectators to the Manitou Springs High School track. They'll see a variety of events in which leftover fruitcakes will be tossed, hurled, and launched by hand and by mechanical and pneumatic devices. There are several weight classes, and inspectors will make sure that entries are made from edible ingredients. Some airborne fruitcakes will be home made, others will come from one of the nation's 6,300 retail bakeries, which produce more than $3 billion worth of baked goods annually. 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 2012, p. 85
2007 Economic Census, NAICS 311811
http://www.census.gov/econ/industry/hierarchy/i31181.htm

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format or as a .wav file.

Profile America -- Saturday, January 14th. One of the fixtures of morning television is celebrating its 60th anniversary today. NBC's "Today" show pioneered the format of news, weather, interviews and features, geared to the average person's morning routine. Dave Garroway was the first host, and the show really caught on with the public when he was joined by the chimpanzee, J. Fred Muggs. Through the years, many personalities have hosted the show, including Hugh Downs, Barbara Walters, and John Chancellor. When the "Today" show started, there were a little over 15 million homes with television sets in the U.S., about one-out-of-10. Today, television is nearly universal and the average home is approaching three sets. 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 2012, p. 85
Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970, p. 796
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 1131
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012edition.html

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format or as a .wav file.

Profile America -- Sunday, January 15th. Dr. Martin Luther King would be 83 years old today. The civil rights leader, minister, and recipient of the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize was born in 1929 and assassinated in 1968. Tomorrow is a federal holiday honoring his memory and marking his long fight for equality for everyone through nonviolent means. King's hopes for America's future were embodied in his famous "I Have a Dream" speech in Washington, D.C. Today, America's diverse population continues to work toward King's dream, including 224 million whites, 39 million African- Americans, over 14.5 million Asians and about 3 million American Indians and Alaska Natives. Just over 50-million of the U.S. population is of Hispanic origin. Profile America is in its 15th year as a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2012, p. 87
U.S. Census Bureau News, 2010 Census Shows America's Diversity
http://2010.census.gov/news/releases/operations/cb11-cn125.html

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format or as a .wav file.

Profile America -- Monday, January 16th. The U.S. Civil Service is 140 years old today, as Congress in 1872 replaced the discredited system of hiring public servants according to personal connections with one based on knowledge, skills and accomplishments. Most federal employees are covered by this merit system, from computer programmers and park rangers to nuclear scientists and statisticians. For the better part of 30 years, the number of federal civil servants has remained steady at close to 3 million. At the same time, the number of state employees has risen slightly to just over 5 million, while local government employment has grown to almost 14.5 million. Profile America is produced by the U.S. Census Bureau: Measuring America--People, Places, and Our Economy.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2008, p. 87
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 461
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012edition.html

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format or as a .wav file.

Profile America -- Tuesday, January 17th. One of the most popular and longest-lasting comic strip characters in U.S. history was first seen on this date in 1929 -- "Popeye," the spinach eating, one-eyed sailor with superhuman strength and bad grammar. Popeye began with a minor part in the newspaper comic strip, Thimble Theater, drawn by Elzie Segar, but soon became the dominant character, fighting to keep the affection of his girlfriend, Olive Oyl. Besides newspapers, Popeye has been featured in comic books, movie cartoons, on radio, in television cartoons, and a feature motion picture. When Popeye first appeared, 42 million Americans read daily newspapers -- now, with a much larger population, dailies draw 46 million readers. Profile America is in its 15th year as a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2012, p. 89
Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970, p. 810
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 1135
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012edition.html

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format or as a .wav file.

Profile America -- Wednesday, January 18th. There's been a lot of emphasis lately on making houses that are more energy efficient -- with better insulation, windows that seal out heat and cold and better weather stripping. Many feature the use of solar panels to capture the natural heat of the sun. The first house in America with solar heating and radiation cooling was built by Raymond Bliss and opened this week in 1955 in Tucson, Arizona. A large, slanting slab of steel and glass converted sunlight into heat, which was brought into the house by ducts. Across the U.S., the average household spends $3,645 annually for utilities, fuels, and public services. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at <www.census.gov>.

Sources: Kane's Famous First Facts, 2129
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 686
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012edition.html

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format or as a .wav file.

Profile America -- Thursday, January 19th. Being able to store food and distribute it before it spoiled became a lot easier in the young United States on this date in 1825. That's when Ezra Daggett and Thomas Kensett were granted a patent for the tin can. Heating and sealing food in glass jars had started a few years before in France, and the British Royal Navy was being supplied with canned food by 1820. Even though today frozen foods, plastic containers and concentrates are widely available, canned foods are still popular, including soups and canned tomato sauce. In fact, it takes more than 19,000 people to make all the tin cans we use each year, worth more than $13.5 billion. 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 2012, p. 92
2007 Economic Census, NAICS 332431
http://www.census.gov/econ/industry/hierarchy/i33243.htm

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format or as a .wav file.

Profile America -- Friday, January 20th. Many causes are being celebrated this month, some ridiculous, some serious. In the serious category are two linked together -- National Eye Health Care Month and National Glaucoma Awareness Month. Most of us take our good vision for granted, but regular eye examinations should be part of everyone's health care regimen, especially those 40 and over. It's estimated that there are 2 million Americans 40 and older who suffer from glaucoma, with nearly half unaware they have the disease -- known as the "sneak thief of sight." Helping keep track of our eye health are optometrists and ophthalmologists -- part of the 872,000 physicians and surgeons in the U.S. 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 2012, p. 67
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 616
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012edition.html

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format or as a .wav file.

Profile America -- Saturday, January 21st. One of the enduring symbols of the nation -- along with Uncle Sam -- is the American bald eagle. Even though it's reported that Benjamin Franklin preferred the wild turkey, the eagle has had a special place in America since its beginning. Once considered endangered, the bald eagle has made a strong comeback in some areas and that resurgence is being celebrated this weekend in special events in Iowa and Missouri. The various programs will include live presentations and eagle viewing, woodcarving and children's activities. About 68 million people watch, photograph and feed birds and other wildlife across the country each year, close by their own homes. 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 2012, p. 94
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 1256
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012edition.html

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format or as a .wav file.

Profile America -- Sunday, January 22nd. You may think the debate about smoking is fairly recent. But this week in 1908, the New York City Council passed an ordinance that made it illegal for women to smoke in public. The ordinance was the result of a campaign by the National Anti-Cigarette League, the first to use the term "coffin nails" for cigarettes. At the time, a number of cities had banned smoking, along with the states of Arkansas, Iowa, Idaho, and Tennessee. All of these laws were revoked by 1917, since they were not only difficult to enforce but added to the allure of smoking. Now, just under 21 percent of adults in the U.S. currently smoke. The highest proportion is in Kentucky and West Virginia, at 25.6 percent. The lowest is Utah at 9.8 percent. Profile America is in its 15th year as a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2012, p. 98
440 International Calendar, Those Were the Days
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 205
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012edition.html

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format or as a .wav file.

Profile America -- Monday, January 23rd. One of the more American of inventions -- and a staple of television advertising -- is having its 77th anniversary this week. The first canned beer was put on sale in 1935 as a marketing test in Richmond, Virginia, by the Gottfried Krueger Brewing Company of Newark, New Jersey. Experiments with putting beer in cans had taken place as early as 1909, but the technology of the time couldn't stop the beer from interacting with the metal of the can. Then, Prohibition delayed further development. Now, cans are the preferred container for beer in the U.S. American adults drink an average of nearly 22 gallons of beer a year, down about 2 gallons from 1980. 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 2012, p. 98
Kane's Famous First Facts, 2671
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 211
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012edition.html

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format or as a .wav file.

Profile America -- Tuesday, January 24th. A favorite of many generations of Americans was patented on this date in 1922 -- the Eskimo Pie. An ice cream bar covered in chocolate and molded around a stick for easy handling, the treat was at first called the "I-Scream-Bar." Legend has it that the inventor Christian Nelson of Onawa, Iowa, got the idea from a young boy at his confectionary shop, who couldn't decide between an ice cream and a candy bar for the nickel he had. Ice cream bars and sandwiches are still popular and are among the more than 24 pounds of frozen dairy products each American consumes annually, a figure that has dropped about 6½ pounds since the year 2000. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at <www.census.gov>.

Sources: Kane's Famous First Facts, 2671
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 217
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012edition.html

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format or as a .wav file.

Profile America -- Wednesday, January 25th. On this date in 1945, Grand Rapids, Michigan became the first U.S. city to treat its water supply with fluoride. Now, two-thirds of Americans live in areas where the water is fluoridated. The American Dental Association credits the fluoridation of drinking water with a dramatic decrease in tooth decay. And the U.S. Centers for Disease Control listed the practice as one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century. But even after six decades, the practice still has its critics, who claim that its benefits are exaggerated and its toxicity underplayed. There are 175,000 dentists across the U.S. Taking care of their dental health costs Americans an average of $217 a year. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at <www.census.gov>.

Sources: Kane's Famous First Facts, 2236
National Institute of Dental & Craniofacil Research
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 616, 137
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012edition.html

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format or as a .wav file.

Profile America -- Thursday, January 26th. The longest-running show in Broadway history opened on this date in 1988 -- the "Phantom of the Opera." Adapted by Andrew Lloyd Webber from the classic French novel by Gaston Leroux, the musical tells the story of the tortured soul who haunts the Paris Opera House and his love for one of its young singers. A runaway success, the "Phantom of the Opera" is in production at many places around the world on a continual basis. In 2006, it became the longest-running show in Broadway history with 8,000 performances. Recently, new shows opening on Broadway have ranged from 33 to 43 per year. These shows draw more than 12 million people annually to theaters along the Great White Way Profile America is in its 15th year as a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2012, 101
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 1234
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012edition.html

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format or as a .wav file.

Profile America -- Friday, January 27th. Everyone who enjoys skiing owes a debt of gratitude to a man they probably haven't even heard of -- Robert Royce of Woodstock, Vermont. This week in 1934, Royce set out to solve the problem of how to get back up the hill for another run down the snow covered slope. Using 900 feet of rope, a tractor wheel fitted to an old Ford car, and some ingenuity, he made the first rope ski tow in the U.S. at Gilbert's Hill. The news of the convenience spread rapidly -- and so did the popularity of skiing. Now, nearly 13 million Americans enjoy alpine skiing and snowboarding each winter season. Profile America is produced by the U.S. Census Bureau: Measuring America--People, Places, and Our Economy.

Sources: Kane's Famous First Facts, 7483
440 International Calendar, Those Were the Days
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 1249
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012edition.html

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format or as a .wav file.

Profile America -- Saturday, January 28th. Foods come and go in popularity but one seems to stay high on the list when it comes to breakfast -- oatmeal, especially in cold weather. In fact, this is Oatmeal Month, set aside to recognize the long-term favorite for its up-to-date health characteristics -- low fat, no sodium, and the ability to help lower the risk of heart disease. Oatmeal also fits today's time pressures, since a bowl can be made in seconds in the microwave. And, of course, oatmeal cookies are among the nation's favorites. The U.S. is the world's third largest oat producer -- after Russia and Canada. Each year, Americans eat an average of more than 4½ pounds of oats. 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 2012, p. 66
United States Department of Agriculture
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 217
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012edition.html

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format or as a .wav file.

Profile America -- Sunday, January 29th. The nation's first guide dog school -- the Seeing Eye --was founded on this date in 1929 in Nashville, Tennessee. The idea came from a magazine article by Dorothy Eustis about a guide dog program in Germany, and a response from Morris Frank, who was blind. Frank traveled around the U.S., demonstrating how guide dogs could free the blind to pursue a more active life. In the years since The Seeing Eye has matched more than 15,000 specially-bred and trained dogs to sightless people from the U.S. and Canada. It has not raised the price for its services since 1934, with most of the cost covered by charitable contributions each year. Across the U.S., there are 6.5 million people with vision difficulties, including those who are blind. Profile America is in its 15th year as a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2012, p. 105
The Seeing Eye Organization
U.S. Census Bureau, Facts for Features, CB11-FF.14
http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/cb11-ff14.html

You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format or as a .wav file.

Profile America -- Monday, January 30th. Coming in from the cold and wind that now grip much of the nation, something warm to drink can be very welcome. Many will make themselves a cup of tea, helping to celebrate National Hot Tea Month. Not only is tea relaxing, but studies have shown it to help ward off cardiovascular disease. Tea is the only beverage commonly served either hot or iced and in any season. While drinking tea has been around for thousands of years, Americans made two important contributions -- inventing tea bags and iced tea -- both in 1904. Recently, the U.S. has led in the development of ready-to-drink forms of tea in bottles and cans. In all its forms, Americans drink an average of 9 gallons of tea each year. 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 2012, p. 67
www.teausa.com
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 215
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012edition.html