U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for May 3

WASHINGTON, May 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090226/CENSUSLOGO)

TUESDAY, MAY 3: EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

Profile America — Tuesday, May 3rd.  One of the most famous buildings in the U.S. had its official opening this week in 1931 — the Empire State Building in New York City.  In an epic of coordination and efficiency, the building was constructed in just 14 months.  Not long after its opening, it became a movie star, with the famous scene in "King Kong" when the giant gorilla climbs the building clutching actress Fay Wray while fighting off attacking fighter planes.  At 102 stories, the Empire State Building was the tallest in the world for four decades until surpassed by the first tower of the World Trade Center in 1972.  Now, even with the economic downturn, most recent figures show that across the U.S., $46 billion worth of commercial buildings are erected annually.  You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at www.census.gov.

Sources:  www.history.com

Statistical Abstract of the United States 2011, t. 961

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