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Fun Facts: From Counties Named Liberty to $368.6M Worth of Fireworks Sold

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Who was the first signer of the Declaration of Independence? Is there a U.S. county named Independence? What was the nation’s population in 1776?

Answers:

  • John Hancock, a merchant by trade, was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence.
  • The only county named Independence is in Arkansas.
  • The U.S. population was 2.5 million in 1776. It is more than 130 times larger today at 330 million.

As the nation celebrates this Independence Day, it’s a good time to reflect on how our Founding Fathers enshrined in our Constitution the importance of statistics as a vital tool for measuring people, places and economy.

The U.S. population was 2.5 million in 1776. It is more than 130 times larger today at 330 million.

The following statistics — historical and whimsical — come from responses to U.S. Census Bureau surveys:

 

 

 

More Fun Facts

The Census Bureau’s Statistics in Schools program has created this Fun Facts & Teaching Guide for the Fourth of July.

Teachers can interact with students by using fun but real-life data related to the holiday. The teaching guide offers ideas on how to use these facts as an activity. 

 

 

Derick Moore is senior communications specialist at the Census Bureau.

 

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Page Last Revised - October 28, 2021
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