Gas prices are a frequent cause for consumer complaint –but at least purchases aren’t restricted, as they were beginning this month in 1942. That’s when 17 states began rationing gasoline to help the war effort. By December, rationing was nationwide and remained in effect until the end of World War II, along with a national speed limit of 35 miles an hour. Now, there are more than 118,000 gas stations across the country. Each year, they sell $360 billion worth of gasoline and diesel fuel. The average car gets almost 24 miles to the gallon, while SUVs, vans, and pickup trucks get 17½ miles per gallon. You can find more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at .
Sunday, May 19th. The first criminal case in the U.S. in which fingerprint evidence was admitted into court occurred on this date in New York City in 1911. Burglary suspect Caesar Cella was convicted by prints identified by detective Sergeant Joseph Faurot. The first known crime case solved by fingerprint matching occurred in 1880 in Tokyo, but the unique pattern of each person’s fingerprints had been known since ancient Rome. Today, the use of DNA samples from crime scenes is the fastest-growing area of forensic evidence. Advanced crime solving methods have contributed to a drop in total reported crimes — from 14.5 million in 1990 to 10.6 million as of four years ago. You can find more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at <www.census.gov>.
Saturday, May 18th. For Americans who couldn’t observe yesterday’s National Bike to Work Day by pedaling to their jobs, there is still time to catch up. All of May is National Bike Month, noting that across the U.S., more than 38 million people enjoy riding their bikes. From coast-to-coast, people are expected to take part in a wide range of activities sponsored by environmental and civic groups, health organizations, and police departments. Even in the face of rising gas prices, the vast majority of us — more than three-quarters — drive to work alone. Slightly over 5 percent use public transportation, and just under that percentage use bikes and other means to get to their jobs. You can find more facts about America’s people, places and economy from the American Community Survey at <www.census.gov>.