Monica

Photo: clipart.com

Fireworks, Beer and Flags . . . Must be the Fourth of July

Tomorrow we celebrate our nation’s Independence Day, so why not kick things off today with some stats and facts . . .

1. The American Flag – 61% of Americans own an American flag, but most weren’t made in America. We import about $5.4 million worth of American flags each year from China.

2. Hot Dogs – We like ’em . . . especially on Independence Day. It’s estimated we around 150 million hot dogs on the Fourth of July.

3. Beer – Did you know the Fourth of July is the number one beer-drinking holiday in the U.S.? We spend an estimated $1 BILLION on beer for the Fourth, plus another $568 million on wine.

4. Fireworks – Costing a total of more than $1 billion, there are over 16,000 fireworks shows going on around the country on the Fourth of July. Oh yeah, and around 870 people have to go to the emergency room because of firework accidents each year (and there’s an average of eight firework deaths).

5. Americans – Back in 1776 when the United States became an independent country, there were 2.5 million residents. Today, there are 327.2 million residents.

Recent Headlines

1 day ago in Entertainment, Music

This year’s song of the summer is a ballad, not a banger. Here’s what that says about us

For the past 14 weeks and counting, the top Billboard spot has been held by a love ballad: Alex Warren's "Ordinary." As Berklee College of Music professor and forensic musicologist Joe Bennett notes, the February release is "a fair bit slower than the mean average for the Hot 100, or for a historical song of the summer."

1 day ago in Entertainment

Julia Roberts, Anna Wintour, Ralph Lauren and more pay tribute to Giorgio Armani

Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani's work spanned the worlds of celebrity, fashion and power. His death announced Thursday at age 91 has elicited an outpouring of tributes.

1 day ago in Entertainment

Al Roker lends his voice and meteorology skills to the new PBS Kids animated show ‘Weather Hunters’

This fall, everyone's favorite weatherman is getting a kick out of launching his own educational cartoon TV show — "Weather Hunters," which premieres Monday on PBS Kids.

2 days ago in Entertainment, Music

Justin Bieber announces ‘Swag ll’ will arrive Friday

Never say never... again? In July, Justin Bieber surprised fans by releasing his seventh studio album, "Swag," hours after he teased it on billboards and social media posts. It turns out, he wasn't done yet. On Thursday morning, Bieber shared that "Swag II" will arrive on Friday.

2 days ago in Entertainment, Trending

Giorgio Armani, who dressed the powerful and famous from boardroom to Hollywood, dies at 91

Giorgio Armani, the iconic Italian designer who turned the concept of understated elegance into a multibillion-dollar fashion empire, died Thursday, his fashion house confirmed. He was 91.