U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for April 16

WASHINGTON, April 16 /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)

FRIDAY, APRIL 16: TEXAS CITY DISASTER

Profile America — Friday, April 16th.  On this day in 1947, the nation's worst industrial accident devastated Texas City, Texas.  Located near Galveston, the town is a major port for petrochemicals, including ammonium nitrate fertilizers.  Tons of fertilizer were being loaded into a French ship, when fire broke out.  About an hour later, the ship exploded, causing catastrophic damage and loss of life.  At least 600 people were killed, another 3,500 injured, and a third of the town's houses had to be condemned.  Property damage in today's terms was close to a billion dollars.  In the U.S., 4,700 workers are killed and another 3,500 injured each year on the job. Profile America is presented by the U.S. Census Bureau, reminding you — take part in the 2010 Census and put your census form in the mail.

Sources:  Chase's Calendar of Events 2007, p. 223

               Statistical Abstract of the United States 2010, t. 642

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