States
The United States of America was founded in 1776 when the original thirteen colonies along the east coast broke away from England to form an independent nation. During the Continental Congress on June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia moved that "these united colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent states." The resolution was adopted on July 2, 1776; and, the Declaration of Independence was approved on July 4, 1776. On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress adopted the resolution of the Marine Committee that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternating between red and white, and that the union be represented on the flag as a new constellation of thirteen white stars in a blue field.