Colonial America was a vast land settled by Spanish, Dutch, French and English immigrants who established colonies such as St. Augustine, Jamestown, Roanoke and many others. Often these settlements displaced Native American societies that had preceded them by thousands of years. Featured Overview The 13 Colonies The U.S. is 50 states strong today, but it began as 13 small colonies. Featured Overview The 13 Colonies The U.S. is 50 states strong today, but it began as 13 small colonies. How St. Augustine Became the First Permanent European Settlement in America St. Augustine, Florida was founded by Spanish explorers long before Jamestown and the Plymouth Colony. Why Did the Pilgrims Come to America? It’s popularly thought that the Pilgrims fled England in search of religious freedom, but their quest was more financial than spiritual. 13 Everyday Objects of Colonial America Early American colonists may not have had electricity, plumbing or cars, but they found ways to make daily life easier with these objects. The Native American Chief Who Drove Out Spanish Colonists—and Nearly Expelled the English Kidnapped and taken to Spain, Opechancanough used what he learned of the Europeans to lead his people against two of the world's greatest powers. Did Jamestown Drink Itself to Death? Did Jamestown Drink Itself to Death? Jamestown's demise has been blamed on many causes, from famine and drought, to disease and violence. But was it actually something in the water? 3 Failed North American Colonies Faced with a lack of volunteers, Sable Island's founder enlisted former convicts to help settle the French colony, located off the coast of Nova Scotia. It was beset by crime and infighting and abandoned by 1603. The French founded this colony in 1604 near the modern-day border between Canada and the U.S. The group’s first winter proved icy and isolating, leading to food shortages and scurvy. By the following August, all the colonists had left. Founded in present-day North Carolina in August 1585, the English colony of Roanoke struggled with food shortages and conflicts with local tribes. By 1590, the site was abandoned. The fate of its settlers remains a mystery. Explore All Related Topics Why Did the Pilgrims Come to America? It’s popularly thought that the Pilgrims fled England in search of religious freedom, but their quest was more financial than spiritual. What School Was Like in the 13 Colonies Standards of education varied widely, and corporal punishment was the norm. Why Do Witches Ride Brooms? The History Behind the Legend

The witch flying on her broomstick is a Halloween icon, possibly based on pagan fertility rituals, hallucinogenic herbs and church doctrine. How the Mayflower Compact Laid a Foundation for American Democracy Pilgrims had to find a way to get along with 'strangers' on their ship once they landed in America. Mayflower Compact The Mayflower Compact was a set of rules for self-governance established by the English settlers who traveled to the New World on the Mayflower. How St. Augustine Became the First Permanent European Settlement in America St. Augustine, Florida was founded by Spanish explorers long before Jamestown and the Plymouth Colony. Did the Lost Colony of Roanoke Disappear or Just Assimilate? An intriguing discovery on Hatteras Island offers possible evidence. What Was It Like to Stay in a Colonial-Era Inn? For one thing, you'd likely have to share a bed with a stranger. The Pests That Plagued Colonial America The colonists weren't the only ones to settle the New World. 6 Common Jobs in Colonial America Colonial governors needed somewhere to buy their shoes, and also their wigs. Elections in Colonial America Were Huge, Booze-Fueled Parties From rum to cakes to rowdy parades, election day was a time for gathering and celebration. What Colonial Americans Wore in 1776 Here’s how our collective image of Revolutionary fashion stacks up against reality. The Surprising Religious Diversity of America’s 13 Colonies It wasn't just Protestants seeking a place to freely practice their faiths. 7 Common Foods Eaten in the 13 Colonies From potted meat to pickles to syllabub, here are some foods and beverages that were popular in colonial America. 13 Facts About the 13 Colonies The 13 original colonies joined to form the United States, but as British colonies, they were often more different than they were alike. The 13 Colonies The 13 original colonies, settled on the Atlantic coast of North America, were British colonies until they declared their independence.