U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for August 7

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110428/DC91889LOGO)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7: WANING STAR

Profile America — Wednesday, August 7th.  One of the saddest days in the history of American journalism occurred on this date in 1981, in Washington, D.C., as the venerable newspaper, The Washington Star, printed its last edition after covering local and national news for 128 years.  For much of its history, the Star was regarded as the national capital's paper of record.  That record remains accessible online in a digital archive containing every issue.  The demise of The Washington Star was a prominent indicator of a downward trend in newspaper publishing.  In 1900, there were over 2,200 daily papers in the U.S.  By 1980, that figure had fallen to 1,745.  Since then, about 350 more papers have shut down.  You can find more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at www.census.gov.

Sources:  www.readex.com/content/washington-eveningstar-1852-1981
Historical Statistics of the United States:  Colonial Times to 1970, p. 810
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 1135

Profile America is produced by the Center for New Media and Promotions of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for "Multimedia Gallery" by the "Newsroom" button). 

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau