The U.S. at a Glance

Photo: © courtesy of Coca-Cola

Need a few talking points for this year's Fourth of July bash? You're in luck. Below, find six interesting facts about the "the land of the free"—like how many bald eagles are nesting on U.S. soil and when the final star was added to the American flag—to help you kick off conversation throughout the weekend.

• 10,000 pairs of nesting bald eagles—our nation's symbol—that currently live in the lower 48 states, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. That puts them off the endangered species list, where they landed in 1963 when there were about 400 pairs left. Visit NWF.org to "adopt" an eagle through the National Wildlife Federation.

• There are 10,466 Main Streets in the United States, according to Mapping Main Street, a collaborative documentary media project funded by the Association of Independents in Radio and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. To contribute photos, videos and stories about the Main Street in your city or town, visit MappingMainStreet.org.

• 125: The number of years Americans have been sipping Coca-Cola.

• 1960: The year Hawaii became the 50th star on the American flag.

• Peace Corps volunteers have served in 139 countries since President Kennedy founded the organization in 1961. For its 50th anniversary celebration, the organization is offering donors a commemorative print, lithograph or sticker. Get one by visiting PeaceCorps.gov.

• 2,500,000: The number of people living in the U.S. in July 1776. That's just slightly larger than the population of Houston today.

• Talk about cash flow: The U.S. government will print about 6.8 billion bills this year, according to the United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing. That's enough green to stretch around the globe more than 26 times. Keep your cash on American soil by buying locally whenever possible.