10 Business View - August 2015
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U.S. Census Bureau Facts for Features:
The Fourth of July 2015
On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress ap-
proved the Declaration of Independence, setting the
13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign
nation. This most American of holidays is marked
with typical festivities ranging from fireworks, pa-
rades, and concerts to more casual family gather-
ings and barbecues across the country.
2.5 million-
In July 1776, the estimated number of
people living in the newly-independent nation.
321.2 million -
The nation’s estimated population on
this July Fourth.
56
- Number of signers to the Declaration of Inde-
pendence.
Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson,
Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston comprised
the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration.
Jefferson, regarded as the strongest and most elo-
quent writer, wrote most of the document.
It’s also worth noting that:
John Hancock, President of the Second Continen-
tal Congress, was the first signer. This merchant by
trade did so in an entirely blank space making it the
largest and most famous signature — hence the
term John Hancock, which is still used today as a
synonym for signature.
Benjamin Franklin (age 70), who represented Penn-
sylvania, was the oldest of the signers. Franklin
County, Pa., had an estimated population of 152,892
as of July 1, 2014. Edward Rutledge (age 26), of
South Carolina, was the youngest.
Two future presidents signed: John Adams (second
President) and Thomas Jefferson (third President).
Both died on the 50th anniversary of signing the
Declaration (July 4, 1826). There are 12 counties na-
tionwide named Adams and 26 named Jefferson.
