On August 1st, 1790...

A Look Back at 1790: The First U.S. Census 📚🇺🇸

In 1790, something incredible happened. No, it wasn't the invention of the light bulb or the discovery of a new dinosaur, but rather the completion of the first U.S. census. This year marked the beginning of a tradition that continues to this day, helping us understand the growth and demographics of our nation. Let's dive into this fascinating story.

The Birth of the Census 📑👶

The U.S. Constitution required a national census to be conducted every 10 years to determine the number of seats each state would have in the House of Representatives. On August 2, 1790, the first U.S. census was completed, recording a population of 3,929,214.

The Unexpected Findings 🕵️‍♂️🔍

The 1790 census reported that 17.8% of the population was slaves and 1.9% were free blacks. This was a startling revelation, shedding light on the unfathomable scale of slavery in the young nation.

The Census Process: Then vs. Now 🕰️🔄

In 1790, census takers traveled on horseback, knocking on every door in their assigned region. Today, the census is conducted mostly online, with some follow-up done in-person or by phone. Talk about a tech upgrade, right? 🐴💻

The Census Heroes of 1790 🎖️👏

The 1790 census was carried out by 650 U.S. Marshals and their deputies. Let's give a virtual round of applause to these unsung heroes who braved the elements (and possibly some grumpy homeowners) to complete this monumental task.

1790 Census: By the Numbers 🔢📊

The first U.S. census was a major milestone in our nation's history, shaping our understanding of the early American population. It's fascinating to think about how far we've come since then, and to imagine where we'll be when the next census rolls around. Will we be answering census questions on Mars? Only time will tell! 🚀🌕