U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for February 13

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13: ROUND THE WORLD CAR RACE

Profile America -- Sunday, February 13th.  New York City newspapers on this date in 1908 told of the quarter-million people who gathered the day before to see the start of the most ambitious automobile race in history -- around the world from New York to Paris.  The U.S. entry, a Thomas Flyer, faced national entries from France, Italy, and Germany.  Much of the course was in bitter winter weather and over land that had no roads.  Crossing Siberia, the driver, George Schuster, used a sextant and a compass to navigate.  After 169 days, the triumphant Thomas Flyer entered Paris, having covered 22,000 miles.  Today, the average car in the U.S. travels a little over 12,000 miles a year.  You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at www.census.gov.

Sources:  www.thegreatautorace.com/race.htm

Statistical Abstract of the United States 2011, t. 1100

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