America250’s founding-era story centers on the 13 original states that emerged from the Thirteen Colonies.
The colonies occupied the Atlantic coast of North America and were separately administered under British rule. During the American Revolution, they cooperated through the Continental Congress, declared independence in 1776, and eventually formed the United States. The traditional list includes New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
The term “13 original states” is related to, but not exactly identical with, the colonial timeline. The colonies became states during the revolutionary period and then joined the first Union by ratifying the Articles of Confederation between 1777 and 1781. The United States later expanded to 50 states through additional admissions.
The number 13 also appears in early national symbols, including the stripes on the United States flag and the stars on the Great Seal. Those symbols connect the founding generation with the history celebrated by America250.