Happy 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 millionIn 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>311.7 millionThe nation's estimated population on this July Fourth.

Source: Population clock <http://www.census.gov/main/www/popclock.html>Flags$3.2 millionIn 2010, the dollar value of U.S. imports of American flags. The vast majority of this amount ($2.8 million) was for U.S. flags made in China.

Source: Foreign Trade Statistics <http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/www/>

<http://www.usatradeonline.gov>$486,026Dollar value of U.S. flags exported in 2010. Mexico was the leading customer, purchasing $256,407 worth.

Source: Foreign Trade Statistics <http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/www/>

<http://www.usatradeonline.gov>$302.7 millionAnnual dollar value of shipments of fabricated flags, banners and similar emblems by the nation's manufacturers, according to the latest published economic census data.

Source: 2007 Economic Census, Series EC0731SP1, Products and Services Code 3149998231

<http://www.census.gov/econ/census07/> Fireworks$190.7 millionThe value of fireworks imported from China in 2010, representing the bulk of all U.S. fireworks imported ($197.3 million). U.S. exports of fireworks, by comparison, came to just $37.0 million in 2010, with Japan purchasing more than any other country ($6.3 million).

Source: Foreign Trade Statistics <http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/www>

<http://www.usatradeonline.gov>$231.8 millionThe value of U.S. manufacturers' shipments of fireworks and pyrotechnics (including flares, igniters, etc.) in 2007.

Source: 2007 Economic Census, Series EC0731SP1, Products and Services Code 325998J108

<http://www.census.gov/econ/census07/>Patriotic-Sounding Place NamesThirty-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).One place with "patriot" in the name. Patriot, Ind. (209).Five places have "America" in their names. The most populous is American Fork, Utah (26,263).Source: American FactFinder <www.census.gov>