Fun Facts: Fourth of July 2013

How Did it Begin?

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.

The Signers

56: The number of signers to the Declaration of Independence. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston comprised the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration. Jefferson, regarded as the strongest and most eloquent writer, wrote most of the document.

By the Numbers

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

316.2 million: The nation’s estimated population on this July Fourth. Source: U.S. Census Population Clock  

$3.8 million: In 2012, 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  

$614,115: Dollar value of U.S. flags exported in 2012. Mexico was the leading customer, purchasing $188,824 worth. Source: Foreign Trade Statistics 

Patriotic-Sounding Place Names

Fourth of July Cookouts

The hot dogs and pork sausages you eat on the Fourth of July most likely originated in Iowa. The Hawkeye State was home to 20.3 million hogs and pigs on March 1, 2013 followed by North Carolina (8.9 million) and Minnesota (7.8 million) were also homes to large numbers of pigs. Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service 

Please Pass the Potato: Potato salad and potato chips are popular food items at Fourth of July barbecues. Idaho and Washington produce the most potatoes. Idaho planted 345 million acres of potatoes in 2012. Washington planted 165 acres. Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service 

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