U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for May 30

WASHINGTON, May 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090226/CENSUSLOGO)

SUNDAY, MAY 30: COAL MINER DAYS

Profile America — Sunday, May 30th.  The small town of Novinger, in northern Missouri is observing Coal Miner Days today and Monday — celebrating its heritage as one of the nation's coal mining boom towns.  There's music, dancing, old-fashioned contests and displays.  The dangers of the occupation will also be noted with a memorial service for miners killed on the job and their widows and families.  For decades, coal heated a vast majority of American homes and provided the power for steam locomotives that moved most freight and passengers across the country.  That demand created jobs at one time for some 900,000 miners.  Most coal is used today to generate electricity, and there are more than 133,000 coal miners.  Profile America is beginning its 14th year as a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2010, p. 298

Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970, p. 608

Statistical Abstract of the United States 2010, t. 868

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