The Week By the Numbers: July 14-20, 2013
By Matt Phifer
7.5% – China’s Second Quarter Growth
China is the second largest economy in the world and it grew 7.5% in the second quarter over what it had the previous year. That is down from 7.7% growth from January to March. The Chinese government has set 7.5% growth as a target for all of 2013. That would mark the lowest rate of expansion in over two decades.
37 – Home Runs by Orioles slugger Chris Davis, tying the AL record at the All-Star break
Orioles first baseman Chris Davis launched his 37th home run of the season over the fences in the Orioles’ 7-4 win over the Blue Jays on July 14th. That ties Davis with Reggie Jackson for the most home runs by an American League player by the All-Star break. Jackson hit 37 home runs by the All-Star break in 1960 while playing for the Athletics. Mark McGwire holds the record for the most home runs by a player at the All-Star break with 39 in 2001.
95th – Birthday Celebrated by Nelson Mandela on July 18th
On July 18th Nelson Mandela, the former anti-Apartheid leader and President of South Africa, celebrated his 95th birthday. Mandela spent his birthday in a hospital where doctors said he was showing steady improvement from a six-week long lung infection.
5,000th – Daily Point of Light Award Presented
On July 15th, President Obama presented the 5,000th Daily Point of Light Award to Floyd Hammer and Kathy Hamilton. The two retired farm owners from Union, Iowa started a non-profit organization that delivers meals to hungry children around the United States and east Africa. The award was started by President George H.W. Bush in 1989 to recognize volunteer service.
$18-20 Billion – The likely debt of the city of Detroit
On July 18th, the city of Detroit filed for bankruptcy, making it the largest American city to ever take such a course of action. Emergency Manager Kevyn D. Orr says that the city’s debt is likely to be between $18 billion and $20 billion. Detroit has shrunk considerably in recent decades. 1.8 million people inhabited the city in 1950, but that number has dropped to 700,000.