You should know this by now

The 13 stripes on the U.S. flag represent the original colonies — the 50 stars represent the 50 states.

Made in America?

The United States imported $7.9 million worth of American flags in 2002; more than half of this amount ($5.2 million) was for U.S. flags made in China.

Give us liberty

The Liberty Bell inscription reads, “By Order of the Assembly of the Province of Pensylvania for the State House in Philada.” A uniform spelling of “Pennsylvania” had not yet been adopted.

As an April Fools’ (1996) joke, Taco Bell ran a full-page ad in various newspapers, including The New York Times, claiming to have bought the Liberty Bell.

Bad holiday

On July 4, 1850, Zachary Taylor, the 12th U.S. president, became ill from cholera morbus (a severe indigestion) and died a few days later.

Fireworks

China exported $128.8 million in fireworks in 2002, representing the bulk of all U.S. fireworks imports ($135.6 million) that year. U.S. exports of fireworks, by comparison, amounted to $13.5 million, with Germany importing the most ($5 million) in 2002.

But Lawrence residents won’t be setting off those fireworks, at least not legally within city limits. The Lawrence City Commission banned public fireworks use in 2002. However, the city still puts on a show at sundown July 4.

What’s in a name?

Thirty places nationwide have “liberty” in their name. The most populous one is Liberty, Mo. Iowa has more of these places than any other state: four (Libertyville, New Liberty, North Liberty and West Liberty).

Eleven places in the United States have “independence” in their name. The most populous of these is Independence, Mo., which is a neighbor of Liberty, Mo.

Dinnertime

There’s a 1-in-6 chance the beef for your July Fourth barbecue came from Texas. It accounted for 7.2 billion pounds of the nation’s 42.2 billion pounds of beef in 2002.

Free speech

On June 21, 1989, the Supreme Court ruled that burning the American flag as a form of political protest was protected by the First Amendment.

Furry friends

Presidential pets go back to George Washington’s hounds and horses, and wife Martha’s parrot. Today, President Bush has a Scottish terrier, Barney, a cat, India; and a longhorn, Ofelia. Spot, an English springer spaniel, died at age 14 in February.

Sources: ushistory.org; encarta.msn.com; www.census.gov; presidentialpetmuseum.com