5 Things You Need to Know Today: July 4

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations.

1. Lots of people are hanging at the Esplanade to the west of us today but waterfront activities are not limited to the city. A regatta will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. today at Silver Lake Beach.Youngsters will float boats they made from recyclable materials

2. On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. As always, this most American of holidays will be marked by parades, fireworks and backyard barbecues across the country.

3. In July 1776, the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation: 2.5 million

4. In July 2011, that number has increased a bit to 311.7 million, according to the Census bureau.

5. Today's forecast: Rain possible. high 88, low 65.