The story of the 13 original colonies is a sweeping saga of ambition, resistance, and transformation that laid the bedrock for the modern United States. What began as a scattered collection of European outposts gradually evolved into a unified force capable of declaring (and securing) its independence from one of the world’s most powerful empires.
These colonies were anything but uniform. Yet despite their differences, they found common cause in their shared opposition to British rule. Across decades of exploration, colonization, warfare, and diplomacy, the people of these territories navigated challenges from abroad and within.
So, what were some of the key moments and figures that defined the 13 original colonies? Click through this gallery to find out.