The Declaration of Independence said thirteen colonies were becoming free and independent states in 1776.
Those colonies were New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Together they formed the political foundation of the United States.
The Declaration’s wording referred to “the thirteen united States of America.” The colonies were not identical in size, population, economy, or political structure, but they acted collectively through the Second Continental Congress during the independence movement.
The number thirteen is closely associated with early American symbols. The original national flag had thirteen stars and thirteen stripes, representing the states formed from the former colonies. Later flag designs retained thirteen stripes while adding stars for new states.