U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for January 7

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 7: PEDALING AROUND THE GLOBE

Profile America -- Friday, January 7th.  A little remembered epic of human endurance ended on this day in 1887, as Thomas Stevens arrived in San Francisco, ending the first around-the-world trek -- on a bicycle.  He left the city by the bay in the spring of 1884, riding a Columbia standard bicycle -- one of those with a huge front wheel and a tiny back wheel and no brakes.  Stevens pedaled 13,500 miles as he crossed the world's mountains, deserts, and jungles.  He wrote a classic book about his adventure, "Around the World on a Bicycle," republished a few years ago, and an incentive for today's bicyclists.  Each year, more than 37 million Americans enjoy riding their bicycles.  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

Kane's Famous First Facts, 7201

Statistical Abstract of the United States 2010, t. 1212

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