Thirteen colonies were represented when Congress adopted the Declaration commemorated by America250.
The Declaration’s original title referred to the “thirteen United States of America.” These colonies had been British colonies along the Atlantic seaboard before declaring themselves independent states in 1776.
The number 13 appears repeatedly in early U.S. history, including the thirteen stripes on the original national flag. The stars on the modern flag no longer represent the colonies; they represent the current states of the Union.
The vote itself has an important detail. Twelve colonial delegations voted in favor on July 4, while New York abstained because its delegates had not yet received authorization. The Declaration nevertheless represented the united claim of all thirteen colonies.