From Colonies to States

This Day in History: September 9, 1776

From a cluster of colonies, thirteen to be exact, a country was born. Independence had been declared in July and up until this day in 1776, the New World was referred to generally as the "United Colonies". A resolution had been approved on July 2 "That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States…." This statement also appears in the middle of the closing paragraph of Jefferson's edited  Declaration of Independence, which was adopted on July 4, 1776. The key words ought to be set the stage for the change in name from colonies to states.

In the Congressional declaration dated September 9, 1776, the delegates wrote, "That in all continental commissions, and other instruments, where, heretofore, the words 'United Colonies' have been used, the stile be altered for the future to the "United States."

A Bit of History Trivia...

A question that is still somewhat of a mystery today is "Who coined the name 'United States of America'?" It may come as a surprise but there is not one single account or documentation of one particular person who first referred to the original colonies as the United States of America.

From the original 13 to 50...

 THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Start HERE and begin your journey across America. At the end of each visit will be a link to the next state.