U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for Feb. 10

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10: WEATHER BUREAU

Profile America — Wednesday, February 10th.  An organization each of us counts on everyday had its origins this week in 1870.  That's when President Grant signed a congressional resolution establishing a government meteorological service — the ancestor of the Weather Bureau and today's National Weather Service.  The first official public weather forecast was made this month in 1871.  Now, just about everyone in the U.S. listens to radio or television, or looks online to find out what the day's weather is apt to be.  Our interest is such that in spite of predictions it would fail, the 24-hour a day Weather Channel is a big success.  And it's no wonder we're interested — in the four years ending in 2008, nearly 1,800 Americans died because of extreme weather conditions. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, conducting the 2010 Census beginning April 1st.

Sources: National Weather Service

Statistical Abstract of the United States 2010, t. 375

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