From the U.S. Census
By the numbers: Our population
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.
2.5 million
In July 1776, the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation.
307 million
The nation's population on this 4th of July.
Source: Population clock
http://www.census.gov/main/www/popclock; Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970
