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October 7, 2012

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Profile America -- Sunday, October 7th. One of the few joys left in long-distance flying is to sit back and enjoy a feature-length movie. But recently, one major airline announced it will be ending this entertainment, joining several low-cost airlines in the policy. The first movies shown in the air were a newsreel and two cartoons, shown on this date in 1929 aboard a Ford Trimotor operated by Transcontinental Air Transport. Regular in-flight movie service began in July 1961 on a Trans World Airline flight from New York to Los Angeles. The movie shown was "By Love Possessed." Now, more than 4 million passengers fly between New York and Los Angeles every year. You can find more facts about America's people, places and economy from the American Community Survey at <www.census.gov>.

Sources: Kane's Famous First Facts, 5514
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 1076
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012edition.html