Fun Facts About the 4th of July

The Fourth of July 2011: On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. As always, this most American of holidays will be marked by parades, fireworks and backyard barbecues across the country.

2.5 million: In July 1776, the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation. Source: Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970 http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/statab.html
 

313.9 million: The nation's estimated population on this July Fourth.
Source: Population clock http://www.census.gov/main/www/popclock.html

Flags                                             

$3.6 million: In 2011, the dollar value of U.S. imports of American flags. The vast majority of this amount ($3.3 million) was for U.S. flags made in China.
Source: Foreign Trade Statistics  http://www.usatradeonline.gov

$663,071 Dollar value of U.S. flags exported in 2011. Mexico was the leading customer, purchasing $80,349 worth.
Source: Foreign Trade Statistics http://www.usatradeonline.gov

Fireworks

$223.6 million The value of fireworks imported from China in 2011, representing the bulk of all U.S. fireworks imported ($232.5 million). U.S. exports of fireworks, by comparison, came to just $15.8 million in 2011, with Australia purchasing more than any other country ($4.5 million).

Patriotic-Sounding Place Names

Thirty-one places have "liberty" in their names. The most populous one as of April 1, 2010, is Liberty, Mo. (29,149) Iowa, with four, has more of these places than any other state: Libertyville, New Liberty, North Liberty and West Liberty.

Thirty-five places have "eagle" in their names. The most populous one is Eagle Pass, Texas (26,248).

Eleven places have "independence" in their names. The most populous one is Independence, Mo. (116,830)

Nine places have "freedom" in their names. The most populous one is New Freedom, Pa. (4,464)

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