On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress; setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. As always, this most American of holidays will be marked by parades, fireworks and backyard barbecues across the country.

Today there are an estimated 313.9 million people living in the United States compared to the 2.5 million in 1776.

Most U.S. flag are imported from China.

The value of fireworks imported from China in 2011 was $232.3 million, representing the bulk of all U.S. fireworks imported ($223.4 million). 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), according to Foreign Trade Statistics.

Thirty-one places have “liberty” in their names. The most populous one as of April 1, 2010, was Liberty, Mo. (29,149). Iowa, with four, has more of these places than any other state: Libertyville, New Liberty, North Liberty and West Liberty.

Eleven places have “independence” in their names. The most populous one is Independence, Mo., with a population of 116,830.

While the British were the adversaries in 1776, the United Kingdom is the sixth-leading trading partner for the United States today.