U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for January 5

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5: STATE LIQUOR STORES

Profile America — Wednesday, January 5.  When Prohibition ended in 1933, the sale of alcoholic beverages resumed in the U.S. but subject to a patchwork of differing regulations.  Local options means that some counties remain dry.  A few states regulate the alcoholic content of beer sold at supermarkets and gas stations.  In a few states, beer, wine and liquor may be sold practically anywhere.  And in 18 states, liquor is sold exclusively in state run facilities.  The first state controlled liquor stores opened in Pennsylvania this week in 1934.  Today in the U.S., Americans drink an average of about 1-1/2 gallons of distilled spirits annually.  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, 2505

Statistical Abstract of the United States 2010, t. 210

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