On this day in 1790,
the first U.S. Census was conducted. The United States
was the first country in the world to make a census
mandatory in its constitution. It is to be held every 10
years and to serve as the basis for Congressional seats,
electoral votes, and to aid planning of government
services. In 1790, only the names of the heads of
households were recorded and the number of "free white
males" were counted for draft purposes. Women were not
allowed to work as census takers and were rarely named
in the census except when
widowed. Genders and ethnicities of all other residents
were noted, but slaves were only counted as three-fifths
of a person, and American Indians were not counted at
all.
It wasn't accurate, but the first census recorded just under 4 million people residing in the United States. In 2010, almost 310 million residents were recorded. It is now the largest peacetime operation in the country and employs more than a million Americans.
You would think the census bureau has had enough time to get it right! More to come on this very soon. Check The Multiracial Advocacy Blog often!
It wasn't accurate, but the first census recorded just under 4 million people residing in the United States. In 2010, almost 310 million residents were recorded. It is now the largest peacetime operation in the country and employs more than a million Americans.
You would think the census bureau has had enough time to get it right! More to come on this very soon. Check The Multiracial Advocacy Blog often!
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