As the United States prepares to celebrate 250 years on July 4, 2026, many people are reminiscing on their celebration of the bicentennial in 1976, leaning into their heritage, and reflecting on what it means to be an American. As we get closer to the day and celebration, we’re looking at some facts about America.

Fact 1

According to the Census Bureau, in July 1776, there were about 2.5 million people living in the new free state of the United States of America. Today, there are about 341.8 million Americans.

Fact 2

The first postmaster general of the United States was selected during the second Continental Congress on July 26, 1775: Benjamin Franklin. According to the Smithsonian, he had previously served in that post under the Crown. 

Fact 3

Since the American Revolution, it is estimated that roughly 646,596 American troops have died in battle and more than 539,000 died from other, non-combat related causes, according to a 2020 article by Military.com.

Fact 4

Three of the Founding Fathers who also served as president died on July 4. According to the Constitution Center, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe.

“The oddness of the events wasn’t lost on the New York Evening Post in 1831, when the newspaper founded by Alexander Hamilton called it a ‘coincidence that has no parallel’:  ‘Three of the four presidents who have left the scene of their usefulness and glory expired on the anniversary of the national birthday, a day which of all others, had it been permitted them to choose [they] would probably had selected for the termination of their careers,’ the Post reported on July 5, 1831,” the Constitution Center said.

Fact 5

The United States created the concept of a National Park with the installation of Yellow Stone as the world’s first in 1872, according to the University of Texas at Austin.