On August 1st, 1790...
1790: The Dawn of U.S. Demographics - A Census Story Unveiled 📜🇺🇸
Published:
2m
United States
Settings
A Look Back at 1790: The First U.S. Census 📚🇺🇸
In 1790, an event of great significance took place - the first U.S. census was completed. This marked the beginning of a tradition that continues today, providing insights into the nation's growth and demographics. Let's dive into this fascinating story.
The Birth of the Census 📑👶
Mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the census was designed to be conducted every 10 years to apportion seats in the House of Representatives. On August 2, 1790, the first census was concluded, revealing a population of 3,929,214.
The Unexpected Findings 🕵️♂️🔍
The 1790 census uncovered that 17.8% of the population were slaves, while 1.9% were free blacks. These figures highlighted the harsh realities of slavery in early America.
The Census Process: Then vs. Now 🕰️🔄
Back in 1790, census takers traveled by horseback, door-to-door, across their regions. Fast forward to today, the census is predominantly conducted online, with some follow-ups via phone or in-person visits. Quite the tech upgrade, wouldn't you say? 🐴💻
The Census Heroes of 1790 🎖️👏
The endeavor was executed by 650 U.S. Marshals and their deputies. Let's applaud these dedicated individuals who faced challenging conditions to ensure a complete and accurate count.
1790 Census: By the Numbers 🔢📊
| Detail | Number |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 3,929,214 |
| Number of Slaves | 698,002 |
| Number of Free Blacks | 59,557 |
The first U.S. census was a pivotal milestone in American history, offering a snapshot of the nation's early days. It's intriguing to reflect on how far we've come and contemplate the future. Will we be answering census questions on Mars one day? Only time will tell! 🚀🌕