The Count of Things

Bluebulb Projects' The Measure of Things presents:

It's about the number of John Wayne films.

(a.k.a. "Duke", a.k.a. JW, a.k.a. Marion Mitchell Morrison, a.k.a. Marion Robert Morrison, a.k.a. Duke Morrison) (films starring the actor in any size role)
Known for his distinctive voice and walk, Oscar-winning Western actor John Wayne appeared in 178 films between 1926 and 1976. He was said to have the lead role in 142 of those films.

It's about nine-tenths the number of Bones in the Human Body.

In other words, 178 is 0.864 times the count of Bones in the Human Body, and the count of Bones in the Human Body is 1.16 times that amount.

(adult, excluding sesamoid bones and ossicles)
The adult human body contains 206 bones. A newborn's body contains more bones — 270 — with unfused bone segments in the legs, arms, head, and face.

It's about one-and-one-fifth times the number of Moons in our Solar System.

In other words, 178 is 1.22 times the count of Moons in our Solar System, and the count of Moons in our Solar System is 0.82 times that amount.

(2015 figures) (confirmed moons only; dwarf planet satellites not included)
Astronomers and other scientists have confirmed the presence of 146 moons orbiting the major planets of our Solar System. About one third of those moons — 53 — are in orbit around the planet Saturn

It's about one-and-one-third times the number of Union Stations in the United States.

In other words, the count of Union Stations in the United States is 0.758 times 178.

(a.k.a. Union Terminal; a.k.a. Joint Station; a.k.a. Union Depot) (2016 figures)
Typically shared between multiple railroad companies and stations, there are about 135 "Union Stations" in the United States. Of these, the busiest station is Chicago Union Station, which handles 120,000 passengers each year.

It's about one-and-a-half times the number of Elements on the Periodic Table.

In other words, 178 is 1.51 times the count of Elements on the Periodic Table, and the count of Elements on the Periodic Table is 0.662 times that amount.

(a.k.a. Periodic Table of the Elements, a.k.a chemical elements) (confirmed elements as of 2016)
From element number one, hydrogen, to element one-hundred eighteen, ununoctium, there are 118 confirmed elements on the Periodic Table. Ninety-four of the elements exist in nature, and the remaining twenty-four have only been synthesized in labs (not having occurred naturally in the time since scientists have begun researching them)

It's about two-thirds the number of Words in the Gettysburg Address.

In other words, 178 is 0.654 times the count of Words in the Gettysburg Address, and the count of Words in the Gettysburg Address is 1.53 times that amount.

(Bliss text)
Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, delivered November 19, 1863, at the postwar dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, lasted just over two minutes and contained an estimated (the exact wording of the original speech is disputed) 272 words. Lincoln wrote five (5) drafts of the speech, which are known today by the last names of the original recipients.

It's about two-thirds the number of Professional Baseball Teams in the United States.

In other words, 178 is 0.645 times the count of Professional Baseball Teams in the United States, and the count of Professional Baseball Teams in the United States is 1.55 times that amount.

(2016 figures) (includes Major, Minor, and Independent Leagues)
Nicknamed "America's pastime," there are 276 professional baseball teams in the United States (across all levels of play). Major League Baseball — the league with the highest level of professional play — drew more than 74 million spectators at gmes in 2013.