WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2: FIRST NUCLEAR CHAIN REACTION
Profile America -- Thursday, December 2nd. One of the most important technological breakthroughs was made on this date in 1942, one that would change the course of world history. At the University of Chicago, a group of scientists led by physicist Enrico Fermi succeeded in producing the first controlled, self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction. This first simple reactor, built in great secrecy under the stands of the university's football stadium, helped provide the knowledge that led to the development of the first atomic bombs less than three years later. Now, reactors power most U.S. aircraft carriers and submarines. And there are 104 nuclear power plants, generating one-fifth of the electricity consumed 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 2010, p. 586
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2010, t. 907
Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for "Multimedia Gallery" by the "Newsroom" button).
SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau
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