Here are a few fun facts courtesy of weather.com, given many of us will be checking weather sources, internet or otherwise today to see the temp.
Population then and now
$3.6 million: Value of U.S. imports of American flags in 2011. The vast majority ($3.3 million) was for U.S. flags made in China.
$663,071: Value of U.S. flags exported in 2011. Mexico was the leading customer, purchasing $80,349 worth.
$232.3 million: Value of fireworks imported from China in 2011, representing the bulk of all U.S. fireworks imported. U.S. exports of fireworks, by comparison, came to just $15.8 million in 2011, with Australia purchasing more than any other country ($4.5 million).
11 places have "independence" in their names. The most populous one is Independence, Mo., with a population of 116,830.
9 places have "freedom" in their names. The most populous one is New Freedom, Pa., with a population of 4,464.
5 places have "America" in their names. The most populous is American Fork, Utah, with a population of 26,263. American Canyon, Calif., has a population of 19,454.
Have a safe and happy 4th of July, wherever you are.
Population then and now
2.5 million: Estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation in July 1776.
313.9 million: The nation's estimated population this July 4.
Flags
$663,071: Value of U.S. flags exported in 2011. Mexico was the leading customer, purchasing $80,349 worth.
Food
Almost 1 in 3: Chance that any hot dogs and pork sausages consumed on the Fourth of July originated in Iowa. The Hawkeye State was home to an estimated 19.7 million hogs and pigs on March 1, 2012, nearly one-third of the nation's total. Other hog havens: North Carolina (8.6 million) and Minnesota (7.6 million).
Fireworks
$231.8 million: Value of U.S. manufacturers' shipments of fireworks and pyrotechnics (including flares, igniters, etc.) in 2007.
Patriotic-Sounding Place Names
31 places have "liberty" in their names. The most populous one as of April 1, 2010, was Liberty, Mo. (29,149). The state of Iowa, with four, has more of these places than any other state: Libertyville, New Liberty, North Liberty and West Liberty.
35 places have "eagle" in their names. The most populous one is Eagle Pass, Texas, with a population of 26,248.11 places have "independence" in their names. The most populous one is Independence, Mo., with a population of 116,830.
9 places have "freedom" in their names. The most populous one is New Freedom, Pa., with a population of 4,464.
5 places have "America" in their names. The most populous is American Fork, Utah, with a population of 26,263. American Canyon, Calif., has a population of 19,454.
Have a safe and happy 4th of July, wherever you are.
Question with an Independence Day theme …
ReplyDeleteDo Americans TODAY want to be independent or subscribe to the principles stated in the Constitution ?
Consider this : We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
And legislative powers Article I :
Section 8 - Powers of Congress
The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts,
Clearly, the founders valued the need to collectively promote the “welfare” of its citizens and accepted that taxes are necessary.
Contrast that with the vision laid out by wanna-be Educator-in-Chief Mitt Romney :
I think this is a land of opportunity for every single person, every single citizen of this great nation. And I want to make sure that we keep America a place of opportunity, where everyone has a fair shot. They get as much education as they can afford and with their time they’re able to get and if they have a willingness to work hard and the right values, they ought to be able to provide for their family and have a shot of realizing their dreams.
Common good is factored based on how much you can afford … the same concept applies to healthcare … (get as much healthcare as you can afford)
Easily spoken for a man who’s Father “gifted” him stock for his education and through inheritance provided college education for all five of the Romney sons … and tragically, we know of Ann Romney’s healthcare problems, but we also know that he could afford the best medical treatment available (including setting up a non-profitable dressage business as “horse dancing” which is therapeutic for wanna-be First Lady Romney.)
Note also the reference to the "the right values" ... who determines what those values are ? The same ones that determine the necessity of a transvaginal ultrasound ?
I am not sure if people want to be "free" and "independent" or want to dictate that only people who subscribe to their values are Americans while the rest of us are Socialists just living off their welfare.