A few fast facts about the Fourth

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by The City Wire staff ([email protected]) July 3, 2012 1:37 pm 97 views 

On July 4, 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.

313.9 million
The nation's estimated population on this July Fourth.

$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.

$663,071
Dollar value of U.S. flags exported in 2011. Mexico was the leading customer, purchasing $80,349 worth.

$302.7 million
Dollar value of shipments of fabricated flags, banners and similar emblems by the nation's manufacturers in 2007, according to the latest published economic census statistics.

$232.3 million 
The value of fireworks imported from China in 2011, representing the bulk of all U.S. fireworks imported ($223.4 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, was 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, with a population of 26,248.

Eleven places have "independence" in their names. The most populous one is Independence, Mo., with a population of 116,830.

Nine places have "freedom" in their names. The most populous one is New Freedom, Pa., with a population of 4,464.

One place has "patriot" in its name. Patriot, Ind., has a population of 209.

Five places have "America" in their names. The most populous is American Fork, Utah, with a population of 26,263.