THE FOURTH OF JULYOn this day in 1776, the Continental Congress, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation, approved the Declaration of Independence. 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 nation304 millionThe nation’s population on July 4, 2008Source: www.census.govFOURTH OF JULY COOKOUTSMore than 1 in 4The chance that the hot dogs and pork sausages consumed on the Fourth of July originated in Iowa is more than 1 in 4. The Hawkeye State was home to 17.6 million market hogs and pigs on March 1, 2008. This represents more than one-fourth of the nation’s total. North Carolina (9 million) and Minnesota (6.7 million) were the runners-up.About 4 in 10The odds that your side dish of baked beans originated from North Dakota, which produced 42 percent of the nation’s dry, edible beans in 2007. Another popular Fourth of July side dish is corn on the cob. Florida, California, Georgia and New York together accounted for 60 percent of the sweet corn produced nationally in 2007.PLEASE PASS THE POTATO SALADPotato salad and potato chips are popular food items at July 4 barbecues. More than half (52 percent) of the nation’s spuds were produced in Idaho or Washington state in 2007.More than 74 millionNumber of Americans who said they have taken part in a barbecue during the previous year. It’s probably safe to assume a lot of these events took place on Independence Day.Source: www.nass.usda.govFIREWORKS$207 millionThe value of fireworks imported from China in 2007, representing the bulk of all U.S. fireworks imported ($217 million). U.S. exports of fireworks, by comparison, came to just $14.9 million in 2007, with Japan purchasing more than any other country ($3.8 million).$17.3 millionThe value of U.S. manufacturers’ shipments of fireworks in 2002FLAGS$4.7 millionIn 2007, the dollar value of U.S. imports of American flags. The vast majority of this amount ($4.3 million) was for U.S. flags made in China.$2.4 millionDollar value of U.S. flags exported in 2007. Mexico was the leading customer, purchasing $1.2 million worth.$349.2 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: www.census.gov
