Well, they ceased to be "colonies" when they declared their independence, and each became its own "state" as in own separate government; hence they were the "United" states, and of course they were "of America" so they would not be confused with some other colleciton of united states, like Switzerland or Holland Robin Gabriel wrote: > I know that this is not strictly a VA history questions, but hopefully > someone will be able to point me in the right direction. I have received a > letter from a child who wants to know why the US was called the United > States and not the United Colonies, or some other such name. Is there a > simple answer to this question? > > Thanks in advance, > Robin Gabriel > Director of Education > Monticello > > To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions > at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html -- Paul Finkelman Chapman Distinguished Professor University of Tulsa College of Law 3120 East 4th Place Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104-2499 918-631-3706 (office) 918-631-2194 (fax) [log in to unmask] To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html