Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Trends, July 3, 2000

Lisa Ferguson

Monday, July 3, 2000 | 8:41 a.m.

Holiday plans

So, how will you be spending Independence Day? The U.S. Census Bureau has some pretty good guesses as to what you'll be doing.

On its website (www.census.gov) are listed some facts related to the holiday and summertime.

For starters, the bureau figures you'll probably be drinking: Thirty-four gallons of beer and three gallons of wine were consumed by the typical American adult in 1997 -- "a good portion of it during holidays such as July 4." (Citizens of all ages gulp down 53 gallons of soft drinks and 24 gallons of both milk and coffee annually.)

If this week marks your summer vacation, there's a good chance you'll visit one of the national parks which, in total, received about 65 million visitors in '97.

Or maybe you'll try to beat the heat someplace on Tuesday. According to the bureau, Juneau, Alaska, with a daily maximum July temperature of 63.9 degrees Fahrenheit, may be a good place to start. Or try San Francisco (71.6 degrees) or Seattle-Tacoma, Wash. (75.2 degrees).

Old glory rules

Chances are good that at some point Tuesday, you'll encounter an American flag. In case you aren't aware, there are do's and don'ts when it comes to handling this national symbol. Here's a brief refresher course, courtesy of the website www.ushistory.org:

* Displaying the flag with the union (the blue field) down should not be done because it is a sign of "dire distress" in regard to life or property.

* Never let a flag touch anything beneath it such as the floor, ground, water or merchandise. Do not use a flag as clothing, bedding or drapery or to cover a ceiling.

* Only display the flag from a staff on a parade float, and never drape it over the hood, top, sides or back of a vehicle, railroad train or boat.

* Refrain from using the flag to receive, carry, hold or deliver anything, and do not place upon or attach to the flag any type of mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture or drawing.

History repeating itself

Pop quiz time. Let's see how many people actually paid attention during their high school U.S. History class with these questions featured on the website www.usacitylink.com/usa:

In which city was the first national capital located? (Answer: New York.)

How was the Liberty Bell cracked? (It cracked the first time it was rung.)

Who penned "The Star Spangled Banner"? (Francis Scott Key.)

Who was first to put his signature on the Declaration of Independence? (John Hancock.)

Name the woman who crafted the first U.S. flag? (Betsy Ross.)

Who said, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal"? (Thomas Jefferson.)