Virginia was the first colony, founded in 1607. It was the location of Jamestown, the first English settlement in America
New York was the second colony to be founded, in 1626. New York supported itself with the fur trade, and was originally owned by the dutch, before it surrendered to England.
Massachusetts was founded in 1630. It is home to one of the most famous American cities, Boston. Most of the leaders of Massachusetts were puritan, but they tolerated any mono-theistic religion.
Maryland was established in 1633 as a Catholic retreat colony, where Catholics could go to get away from protestants. It was established by Lord Baltimore, and that is where its capital city gets its name.
Rhode Island was founded when Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson both separately got banished from Massachusetts.
Connecticut was established by a Puritan minister. The Pequot war was fought on Connecticut soil. It was also one of the first colonies to make their government distinct from England.
New Hampshire was founded in 1638 and named after Hampshire county in England. It was one of the last states to join the Revolutionary War.
Delaware was a region in Pennsylvania until the revolutionary war. Delaware was named after the Delaware river, and was the first colony to become a state.
The Carolina’s were given to 8 Lords from England to govern over. It was later split into two states.
New Jersey was originally founded by the dutch. When England was at war with the Netherlands, they claimed the land of New Jersey for themselves.
Pennsylvania was established by William Penn in 1682. It was a very democratic colony. He was a Quaker. Pennsylvania means “Penn’s Woods”
Georgia was founded in 1732, and was the last of the 13 colonies. It was founded to be a place of refuge for people in debt. The colony started slow because there were many strict laws the people did not like, but these were repealed, and so the colony began to expand faster.