WASHINGTON, Dec. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12: POINSETTIAS

Profile America — Wednesday, December 12th.  Poinsettias, with their contrast of brilliant red against green, are an established part of the color and tradition of the holidays.  But many may be unaware that they are named for a real person — Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett, honored on this day, the anniversary of his death.  He was a U.S. diplomat who developed his lasting legacy and symbol of Christmas from a flower he found while stationed in Mexico in the early 19th century.  Poinsett also represented South Carolina in Congress and later served as secretary of war.  Americans spend almost $31 billion a year at the nation's nearly 16,000 nurseries and garden centers on such items as poinsettias.  You can find more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at www.census.gov.

Sources:  Chase's Calendar of Events 2012, p. 587
2007 Economic Census, NAICS 44422

Profile America is produced by the Center for New Media and Promotions of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for "Multimedia Gallery" by the "Newsroom" button). 

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau