U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for Oct. 29: The Start of the Internet

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 /U.S. Newswire/ — Following is the daily “Profile America” feature for Oct. 29 from the U.S. Census Bureau:

SATURDAY, OCT. 29: THE START OF THE INTERNET

Profile America for Saturday, Oct. 29. A technological breakthrough that has had a profound impact on individuals, American society and the nation’s economy is 36 years old today. It was on this day in 1969 that the first connection was made on what would become the Internet. The first two computers linked were at the University of California at Los Angeles and the Stanford Research Institute — part of a Defense Department program called ARPANET. Within a year, 10 sites were connected and, in 1972, the now universal symbol for “at” was selected to facilitate e-mail. Today, six out of ten U.S. households own a computer, and more than half have access to the Internet. Find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau on the Web at http:// www.census.gov.

Sources: Chase’s Calendar of Events 2005, p. 557; Statistical Abstract of the United States, 2004-2005, t. 1152, http:// www.census.gov/prod/www/statistical-abstract-04.html

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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 Internet at http://www.census.gov (look under the “Newsroom” button). For further information, contact Rick Reed at 301-763-2812, fax at 301- 457-3670, or e-mail at rreed(At)census.gov.

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