U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for April 2

WASHINGTON, April 2, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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MONDAY, APRIL 2: 1940 CENSUS DATA RELEASED

Profile America — Monday, April 2nd.  Today is a day long awaited by researchers and genealogists as the detailed information collected in the 1940 Census is released to the public.  These census forms have been kept confidential by law for 72 years.  The 1940 Census is considered to be the first modern census, using sampling to collect detailed data, and also taking the first census of housing.  The census that year counted 132 million Americans, compared to the 2010 Census total of nearly 309 million.  The 1940 Census will provide a treasure trove of information about the impact of the Great Depression, and the state of the U.S. as the nation's involvement in World War II loomed closer.  Profile America is completing its 15th year as a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.

Sources:  U.S. Census Bureau, Facts for Features, CB12-FFSE.01

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