The question, “How old is America?” could have several answers. The first answer refers back to when the indigenous people first settled the land that is now known as America. The second answer refers to when America gained its freedom from the British and became known as the United States of America. The United States of America was founded in 1776, making the country 243 years old as of 2019.
The earliest history of what is now America occurred when the land was settled by indigenous people before 15,000 B.C. It is not known exactly when it was first settled, but it is believed that people migrated from Eurasia through the Beringia land bridge before settling throughout the Americas. It is believed that this settlement could have begun as many as 30,000 years ago. Migration is thought to have continued through the land bridge until about 10,000 years ago when it was submerged by rising sea levels.
The original inhabitants were known as Paleoamericans and were part of hundreds of nations and tribes. As time passed, the Native Americans continued to inhabitant the land and many distinct cultures were formed. This continued through the 15th century, which brought Christopher Columbus to the land and marked the beginning of European colonization.
However, it wasn’t until after European exploration when the first English settlement was established in the early 17th century. During this time, Europeans brought over many things to the Americas, including horses and cattle. They also brought back goods from America including potatoes, tobacco and other crops. Early settlers and explorers died after being exposed to diseases of the Americas. However, things were worse for the Native Americans, who were exposed to Eurasian diseases and died in large numbers.
The first successful colony was Jamestown, which was established in what is now Virginia. Throughout these early years, the thirteen colonies were established. The Georgia Colony was the last to be established in 1733.
It was in the last 18th century when the colonies launched the American Revolution. This was a rebellion against the British. Prior to the American Revolution, tensions were growing between the colonists and the British, primarily over the British’s imposition of more taxes and exercising more control. One year after the rebellion began, the colonies declared themselves independent of Britain and named themselves the United States of America. The Revolutionary War continued on through 1783. However, the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 was the day that the United States of America came to be. This is why Independence Day is celebrated every year on July 4, in celebration of the birth of America.
America, as it is named, is actually a misnomer. "America" consists of both the North and South American continents. it has existed since the dawn of time and was possibly visited many times prior to its being recorded. Generally, it is widely accepted in the American school system that explorer Christopher Columbus was the first to set foot in North America in 1492 and report back to the British Empire. Some refute this, with certain scholars saying that Asian colonies first visited South America by accident when sailing in the 13th century, with Vikings landing near what is now New England and the eastern provinces of Canada as early as the 9th century.
1607 was the start of the colonial period, where ships and boats from England and its colonies would settle here under the flag of the British Empire. It was a grueling time, as starvation, lack of medicine, hostilities towards aboriginals, and the fight against the French, Spanish and Dutch for control of the Americas were intense. Unlike mainland England, the colonial period saw an influx of many European settlers from many walks of life. The first province to be established by the Empire was Virginia, specifically Jamestown. 13 more colonies were created until the American Revolution, which began with the signing of the Declaration of Independence from the British Empire, signed on July 4th, 1776. Thus, July 4th is recognized as the anniversary of the day that America declared itself a sovereign nation.
Throughout the entirety of the colonial period, the colonies struggled to survive. Resources were abundant, but methods of extraction were difficult. It was an entirely new landscape that did not have the privileges of "home". Proper housing, roads, food supply, and social advancement were extremely difficult and many lived in harsh conditions. The British Empire had been the dominant force for many years and secured its position by claiming colonies that would pay them tribute in resources. The Empire flourished at first, eclipsing the French and Dutch - and later, splitting the American continents with the Spanish.
The thirteen colonies finally could afford to be self-sufficient, but by the mid-1700s, the disapproval rating of the Empire was extremely high - as they demanded more and more tribute to be paid. The people revolted in 1776 and eventually won their independence.
The country of United States is 248 years old, founded in the year 1776.