Don’t read all about it . . .

The number of daily newspapers in the U.S. declined from 1,480 in 2000 to 1,408 in 2008. (Table 1098)

In 2007, the nation’s 16,604 libraries collectively had an average of 12.5 public-use computers connected to the Internet per library. (Tables 1115 and 1116)

In 2007, the average consumer spent $1,110 on telephone services. (Table 1111)

In 2008, there were more than 270 million cell phone subscribers; they paid an average monthly bill of $50 with the average call lasting 2.5 minutes. (Table 1112)

Staying Healthy . . .

There were more than 20,000 farms in 2007 engaged in organic production on more than 2.5 million acres. (Table 807).

In 2007, the complementary and alternative medicine therapies most commonly used by U.S. adults in the past 12 months were nonvitamin, nonmineral and natural products (17.7 percent), deep breathing exercises (12.7 percent), meditation (9.4 percent), chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation (8.6 percent), massage (8.3 percent) and yoga (6.1 percent). (Table 161)

The above statistics, and a whole lot more, are available in the latest edition of the Statistical Abstract of the United States, the federal government’s best-selling reference book, published since 1878 — before automobiles, airplanes and motion pictures had even been invented. Contained in the 129th edition are more than 1,400 tables of social, political and economic facts which collectively describe the state of our nation and the world. Included are 53 new tables, covering topics such as worldwide space launch events this decade, the use of complementary and alternative medicine, the type of work flexibility provided to employees, employment status of veterans and road fatalities by country.

The Statistical Abstract is freely available online at http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/. And a print copy is kept at the Reference Desk.

Veterans Day originated as ‘Armistice Day’ on November 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and November 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation in 1954 to change the name to Veterans Day as a way to honor those who served in all American wars.

This year as America pays tribute to its 23.2 million military veterans the Census Bureau has released a report that counts American men and women who have served by race/ethnicity, by age, and by the wars in which they served. Also counted are those who served during three wars (World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam Conflict). Education, income, disabilities, the number of veterans in the labor force, and federal government spending for veterans benefits programs are included. The report is available at Facts for Features: A Special Edition: Veterans Day 2009,

Wondering how many potential stops there are for trick-or-treaters this Halloween? The answer: 111.4 million. The Census Bureau calls them “occupied housing units” and shares this and many additional statistics, including the annual per capita consumption of candy (that would be a cool 23.8 pounds), at: Facts for Features: Halloween, October 31, 2009.