Thirteen British North American colonies declared independence in the Declaration of Independence commemorated by America250. These colonies became the original states of the United States.
The colonies stretched along the Atlantic coast from New Hampshire in the north to Georgia in the south. They were not identical communities: their economies, religious traditions, political structures, and relationships with Indigenous nations varied considerably.
The Declaration described the colonies as “free and independent States.” The number thirteen is often represented by the 13 stripes on the United States flag, although the flag’s design has changed as new states joined the Union. The thirteen colonies should not be confused with the 50 states that make up the United States today.