September 2, 2009
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Profile America — Wednesday, September 2nd. There was consternation in the American colonies on this day in 1752, as the calendar underwent what is called the “Gregorian correction,” to adjust for time errors accumulated over many decades. After September 2nd, the next day was September 14th, and there was rioting in the streets by those who felt cheated and demanded the 11 days back. The Calendar Act of 1751 also provided that New Year’s Day should fall on January 1st, rather than March 25th. As a result, 1751 had only 282 days. Today, we’re used to the leap year correction every four years, and the calendar has remained one of the consistent elements of life. Calendars are just part of the more than $90 billion worth of materials printed in the U.S. each year. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureauonline at <www>.
Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2009, p. 431
2002 Economic Census, NAICS 32311
http://www.census.gov/econ/census02/data/industry/E32311.HTM
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