Fourth of July Fun Facts

On the Fourth of July in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress setting up the 13 colonies as a new nation. The day is now celebrated with fireworks, barbecues, time with family, parades and patriotism. 

Here's a few fun facts about the Fourth of July: 

• 2.5 million - The estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation. 

• 313.9 million - The estimated population of the United States on this Fourth of July. 

• $3.6 million - The dollar value of the American flags imported into the United States in 2011. 

• $663,071 - The dollar value of the American flags exported out of the United States in 2011. 

• $232.3 million - The value of fireworks imported to the U.S. from China in 2011. 

• Patriotic-sounding place names - Thirty one places in the U.S. have "liberty" in the name; 35 places in the U.S. have "eagle" in the name; 11 places have "independence" in the name; nine places have "freedom" in their names; one place has "patriot" in its name; five places in the U.S. have "America" in their name. 

• 7.2 billion pounds - The total production of cattle and calves in Texas in 2011. 

• Potatoes - Potato salad and potato chips are popular foods on the Fouth of July. About half the country's potatoes were produced in Idaho or Washington state in 2011. 

Information and statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau.