Thirteen colonies are named in the Declaration of Independence commemorated by America's 250th anniversary. The document’s formal title refers to the thirteen United States of America.
These colonies occupied the Atlantic seaboard from New Hampshire to Georgia. Their delegates participated in the Second Continental Congress and declared that the colonies had become free and independent states.
The number thirteen appears repeatedly in American symbolism, including the original flag’s stars and stripes and the design of the Great Seal. It is also why many later commemorative objects use thirteen elements.
The colonies did not all vote identically at first. On July 4, twelve colonial delegations voted for adoption while New York abstained because its delegates had not yet received authorization. New York later joined the unanimous position.