Breadcrumb

Census Facts for Features

Facts for Features consist of collections of statistics from the Census Bureau's demographic and economic subject areas pertaining to holidays, anniversaries, observances or topics in the news. The data are intended to assist media in writing feature stories on these commemorations, which range from Hispanic Heritage Month to the Holiday Season.

For all previous Facts for Features, please visit:

www.census.gov/newsroom/facts-for-features.html

Related Content

Celebrating American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month

Blog
The first American Indian Day was celebrated in May 1916 in New York. Red Fox James, a member of the Blackfeet Nation, rode horseback from state to state to get endorsements from 24 state governments to have a day to honor American Indians. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed a joint congressional resolution designating November 1990 as “National American Indian Heritage Month.” Similar...

Nation Celebrates Its 399th Annual Feast

Blog
In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims — early settlers of Plymouth Colony — held a three-day feast to celebrate a bountiful harvest. Many regard this event as the nation’s first Thanksgiving. The Wampanoag Indians in attendance played a key role but historians have recorded harvest ceremonies of thanks among other groups of European settlers in North America, including the British colonists in...

The Fourth of July: 2019

Blog
On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. This most American of holidays will be marked with typical festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues across the country. As we celebrate this Independence Day, we reflect on how our...

U.S. Census Bureau Releases Key Statistics on Our Nation’s Veterans

Blog
Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary marking the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and November 11th became a national holiday beginning in 1938. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation in 1954 to change the name to Veterans Day, as a way to honor those who served in all American wars. Veterans...

U.S. Census Bureau Releases Key Statistics for the Fourth of July, 2017

Blog
On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. This most American of holidays will be marked with typical festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues across the country. As we celebrate this Independence Day, we reflect on how our...

U.S. Census Bureau Releases Key Statistics in Honor of Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Blog
Today marks the beginning of Asian-American and Pacific Islander Month. In 1978, a joint congressional resolution established Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. The first 10 days of May were chosen to coincide with two important milestones in Asian/Pacific American history: the arrival in the United States of the first Japanese immigrants (May 7, 1843) and contributions of Chinese workers to...

U.S. Census Bureau Honors Women's History Month

Blog
The roots of National Women’s History Month go back to March 8, 1857, when women from various New York City factories staged a protest over working conditions. International Women’s Day was first observed in 1909, but it was not until 1981 that Congress established National Women’s History Week to be commemorated annually the second week of March. In 1987, Congress expanded the week to a month...

U.S. Census Bureau Releases Key Statistics for St. Patrick's Day and Irish-American Heritage Month

Blog
Congress proclaimed March as Irish-American Heritage Month in 1991, and the President issues a proclamation commemorating the occasion each year. Originally a religious holiday to honor St. Patrick, who introduced Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century, St. Patrick’s Day has evolved into a celebration of all things Irish. The world’s first St. Patrick’s Day parade occurred on March 17, 1762...

U.S. Census Bureau Releases Statistics on Candy, Flowers, Jewelry and More in Recognition of Valentine's Day

Blog
Expressing one’s affection to another is a celebrated custom on Valentine’s Day. Sweethearts and family members present gifts to one another, such as cards, candy, flowers and other symbols of affection. Opinions differ as to who was the original Valentine, but the most popular theory is that he was a clergyman who was executed for secretly marrying couples in ancient Rome. In A.D. 496, Pope...

U.S. Census Bureau Releases Stats on Recording and Entertainment Industry Ahead of Grammy Awards

Blog
Just in time for the 59th Annual Grammy Awards, the U.S. Census Bureau compiled various statistics covering sound recording studios, artists, writers and more. The 59th Annual Grammy Awards will be held on February 12, 2017, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and will recognize the best recordings, compositions, and artists for 2016. A Grammy Award, or Grammy, is an honor awarded by The...