For those people dealing with addictions, the fourth of July can create all kinds of triggers.  Temptation is powerful yet the mind is more powerful so you can get through the desire, cravings and overwhelming obsessions!  Have a plan in place, share concerns with friends and family and follow your recovery plan.  Above all have a safe and sober holiday!  Here are a few fun facts to share with your fellow revelers!

Statistics:

• There were approximately 2.5 million people living in the colonies in July of 1776. For comparison, that is the population of the city of Chicago in 2012 is around 2.7 million.

•The projected U.S. population in July of 2012 is approximately 314 million. This means the population has grown by a factor of nearly 126 in 236 years.

•U.S. Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826. James Monroe died on July 4, 1831.

•U.S. President Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4, 1872.

•In 2011 a total value of $3.6 million consisted of imports of American flags. $3.3 million, or nearly 92% of this amount came from China.

•Mexico purchased $80,349 worth of American flags exported from the U.S. in 2011.

•Just more that $232 million worth of fireworks was imported in 2011. The majority of these fireworks came from China.

•There are numerous locations in the United States with names of a patriotic flavor: •Eagle occurs in the names of 35 towns and cities in the U.S.

•Liberty occurs in the names of 31 towns and cities in the U.S.

•Independence occurs in the names of eleven towns and cities in the U.S.

•Freedom occurs in the names of nine towns and cities in the U.S.

•America occurs in the names of five towns and cities in the U.S.

•Of all surnames on the 2000 Census, Washington was the 138 most frequent. The surname of Founding Father John Adams occurred more frequently at 39th place on the list.

•Tensions have settled between the U.S. and the British. Once Revolutionary era foes, they are now allies in a number of ways. Last year slightly over $107 billion in trade was done between the United States and the United Kingdom.

•There is almost 33% probability that the hotdog you eat at a Fourth of July cookout came from Iowa. Nearly one third of all hogs and pigs are from this state.

“In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved.”  ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt