Staff Reports
The U.S. Census Bureau is nothing without mountains of data about America, and the Fourth of July is no different.
So, here are some “red, white, and blue” stats to chew on for the holiday:
In July 1776, about 2.5 million people lived in the newly independent nation. Today, America has grown to over 332 million.
The U.S. imports more than $330 million worth of fireworks from China. In comparison, fireworks exports came to around $10 million, with Israel buying approximately $3 million, the most of any other country.
Interestingly, the U.S. also imports more than $4 million in American flags from China, while exporting $800K worth of American flags during the same period, with Mexico the leading customer.
The U.S. shares about $100 billion in trade with the United Kingdom, making our Revolutionary War adversary the sixth-leading trading partner, 240 years after our declared independence.
Chances are the beef hot dogs, steaks and burgers on the weekend grill came from Texas, which produces almost 7 billion pounds, nearly one-sixth of the nation’s total production.
If the beef is not from the Lone Star State, then it is a good possibility it came from Nebraska, with an estimated 5.1 billion pounds, or Kansas, at 3.7 billion pounds.
Fifty-nine places in the U.S. have the word “liberty” as part of its name. Four are counties: Liberty County, Georgia (population 64,135), Liberty County, Florida (8,349), Liberty County, Montana (2,369) and Liberty County, Texas (76,907). Pennsylvania has the most “liberties” of any other state with 11.
Independence Day also has far-reaching effects on American politics — especially when the holiday is rain-free.
According to Harvard University researchers, political views and behavior stem from social and cultural experiences in early childhood, and the Fourth of July holiday shapes the U.S. political landscape.
Specifically: “Days without rain on Fourth of July in childhood shift adult views and voting in favor of the Republicans and increase turnout in presidential elections. The effects we estimate are highly persistent throughout life and originate at in early age. Rain-free Fourth of Julys experienced as an adult also make it more likely that people identify as Republicans, but the effect depreciates substantially after a few years.”
