U.S. Census Bureau Black History Month Feature for February 22

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily Black History Month feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22: EMMETT ASHFORD

Profile America for the 22nd day of Black History Month.  Emmett Ashford was the first African- American umpire in Major League Baseball.  Earlier, he became the first black professional umpire when he worked games of the Southwestern International League, then went on to umpire Pacific Coast league games for many years.  In April 1966, he became the first of his race to umpire in the majors, working in the American League.  Ashford was known for his impeccable dress, including cufflinks, and his flashy style of making calls.  He worked the All-Star game in 1967, and the 1970 World Series, the same year he retired at the mandatory age of 56.  Major League Baseball today attracts nearly 80 million fans to its games each year.  This special edition of Profile America is a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.  

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2011, p. 573

Statistical Abstract of the United States 2010, t. 1208

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).  For further information, contact Rick Reed:  301-763-2812; fax: 301-763-3762; or e-mail: rreed-at-census.gov.

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau