A backgrounder provides, on one page, the basic background information on National Engineers Week. A sample follows:

National Engineers Week Backgrounder

National Engineers Week was founded in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers. It is always celebrated at the time of George Washington's birthday. Our nation's first President was a military engineer and land surveyor.

Since 1951, beginning with President Truman, U.S. Presidents have sent special messages of appreciation to the engineering profession in recognition of the week.

At its beginning, National Engineers Week included a few scattered government proclamations, dinners, and speeches. It has since grown to involve tens of thousands of engineers in a variety of community outreach activities, such as technology and education exhibits at shopping malls, to presentations of student scholarships.

In (City) the first Engineers Week was celebrated in (year). The program began (give some history) and has since grown (current status).

Currently there are hundreds of engineering societies, corporations and businesses, government agencies, and universities nationwide that participate.

For more information about National Engineers Week in (City) contact: (name and daytime phone)

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