Thirteen Colonies

Imagine a big, big ocean with blue water splashing on the shore. A long, long time ago, people sailed in big ships all the way from a place called Great Britain to build new houses right by the water. They built one house, then another, and another. I wasn't just one town. I was like a big family of thirteen special towns all living together. It was so exciting to see them all grow. People call me the Thirteen Colonies.

My family of homes started to get bigger and bigger. My very first town was named Jamestown, and it was built way back in the year 1607. Then, another special town called Plymouth began in 1620 when families arrived on a big boat called the Mayflower. I had different parts, just like a family has different people. In my chilly north, people were busy building strong ships to sail on the sea. In my middle part, farmers grew lots of yummy wheat to make bread. That’s why they called it the breadbasket. And in my sunny, warm south, people grew soft, white cotton for cozy clothes. I loved being a big family of homes, growing all together.

As I got bigger, I knew I wanted to be something new. I wanted to be my very own country where everyone could work together. So on a very important day in the year 1776, my thirteen parts decided to start a brand new adventure. Do you know what I grew up to be. I became the United States of America. And here is a happy secret. If you look at the American flag, you will see thirteen red and white stripes. Those stripes are there to remember me, the thirteen colonies that started it all.