Numbers around the United States’ Declaration of Independence
Let me begin by saying: Happy the Fourth of July.
July 4, 1776, is the date the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation.
The Congress had been working on the Declaration since the draft was submitted on July 2.
Here are some things you may know related to American Independence Day, gleamed from the U.S. Census Bureau:
- In July 1776, the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation was around 2.5 million. Last July, the nation's estimated population was 316.2 million.
- There were 56 signers to the Declaration of Independence. John Hancock, President of the Second Continental Congress, was the first signer. Benjamin Franklin, age 70, was the oldest of the signers.
- Two future presidents signed the Declaration of Independence: John Adams (second President) and Thomas Jefferson (third President). Both died on the 50th anniversary of signing the Declaration (July 4, 1826).
- 59 places contain the word "liberty" in the name. Pennsylvania, with 11, has more of these places than any other state.
- 1 place has "patriot" in its name: Patriot, Ind.
