WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090226/CENSUSLOGO)

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23: FIRST U.S. CHRISTMAS TREE

Profile America -- Wednesday, December 23rd. In homes and stores all over America, colorfully decorated Christmas trees are adding their special spirit to the holidays. The first record of such tree in the U.S. was in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, this week in 1821. Matthew Zahm mentioned the tree in his diary. He and other immigrants to Pennsylvania brought the custom with them from Germany. While the use of evergreen trees to celebrate the winter season occurred even before the birth of Jesus, the first known reference to a decorated tree was in Germany in 1531. U.S. farmers sell nearly $500 million worth of natural Christmas trees every year, with Oregon the leading provider. China is the leading supplier of artificial trees. 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, 4254

U.S. Census Bureau, Facts for Features, CB08-FF.21

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 under the "Newsroom" button).

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau

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