U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for November 21

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21: FIRST MEETING OF CONGRESS IN D.C.

Profile America — Monday, November 21st.  The United States Congress met for the first time in the District of Columbia on this date in 1800.  Up until then, it had met in Philadelphia.  Ever since President George Washington laid the cornerstone for the capitol in 1793, the District had been planned as the permanent home for the U.S. government.  By 1800, enough of the capitol had been completed for the members of the 6th Congress to move in.  One senator found D.C. to be "lacking in houses, cellars, kitchens, well-informed men and amiable women."  Only the villages of Georgetown and Alexandria offered any amenities.  In 1800, the population of the District was 8,000.  The 2010 Census counted 601,723 residents.  Profile America is in its 15th year as a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.

Sources:  Chase's Calendar of Events 2011, p.568

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/11000.html

Historical Statistics of the United States:  Colonial Times to 1970, p. 26

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