U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for July 24

U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for July 24

WASHINGTON, July 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090226/CENSUSLOGO)
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090226/CENSUSLOGO)

SATURDAY, JULY 24: SOAP OPERAS

Profile America -- Saturday, July 24th. Fads in entertainment come and go, but soap operas have been around almost as long as broadcasting. While fans today watch the daily trials of their favorites on television, the soap opera -- literally sponsored by various brands of soap -- became a hit right after radio stations joined into networks. One of the longest-lasting was "The Romance of Helen Trent," which began on this date in 1933 and lasted for 27 years. On the program, Helen stayed at 35 years old and only two actresses played the lead character for the show's entire run. When soap operas entered the American scene, only 15 percent of homes across the country had a radio. Today, the average household owns eight radios. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at www.census.gov.

Sources: 440 International Calendar of Events, Those Were the Days
Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970, p. 786
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2010, t. 1095, 1212

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).

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090226/CENSUSLOGO
PRN Photo Desk photodesk@prnewswire.com
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090226/CENSUSLOGO
Source: U.S. Census Bureau

CONTACT: Rick Reed of the U.S. Census Bureau, +1-301-763-2812, fax:
+1-301-763-3762, rreed-at-census.gov

Web Site: http://www.census.gov/

-------
Profile: intent