U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for January 2

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 2: BUTTER AND MARGARINE

Profile America -- Sunday, January 2nd.  For centuries, butter was without a rival.  But this week in 1871, Henry Bradley of Binghamton, New York, patented oleomargarine.  It was during World War II that margarine came into its own because of its durability in long-range shipping and storing.  For many years, the law required margarine to be sold uncolored.  Users had to mash a packet of colored powder into their margarine, and later there was a capsule of color which was broken and kneaded in a plastic bag of the otherwise white spread.  Today, butter and margarine -- sometimes even blended together -- come in a variety of forms.  We each consume about 4½ pounds of both margarine and butter annually.  You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at www.census.gov.

Sources:  440 International Calendar of Events, Those Were the Days

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