A tyrannical government ruled with an iron fist. Brave men and women banded together and formed an alliance to combat "no taxation without representation".

Here is a list of the original thirteen colonies which formed the Continental Congress:

• New Hampshire
• Massachusetts
• Rhode Island
• Connecticut
• New York
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Delaware
• Maryland
• Virginia
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Georgia

The Colony of Virginia was the first to be established in 1607. Representatives of Virginia were instrumental in not only the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, but for their actions afterwards by providing leadership in the Continental Congress, and our military .

My favorite founding father is George Washington of Virginia depicted here at age 45:

Image sources:

lcps.org/cms/lib4/VA01000195/Centricity/Domain/12099/13 Colonies Map Color Filled.png

mtvernon.org

Have a safe and happy 4th of July fellow Steemians!