How to Remember 13 Colonies in Order
In the early 17th century, the 13 original colonies played a crucial role in the establishment of what would become the United States of America. These colonies, spread across the Eastern seaboard, varied in their geographical locations, economies, and political systems. However, remembering their order can be quite challenging for students and history enthusiasts alike. In this article, we will explore various methods and mnemonic devices to help you remember the 13 colonies in order.
1. Acronyms and Rhymes
One of the most popular ways to remember the order of the 13 colonies is by using acronyms or rhymes. For instance, you can create a phrase like “Mary Had a Little Lamb, Just Like the Colonies in a Line,” where each word represents a colony. The phrase would go as follows:
– Mary (Maryland)
– Had (Delaware)
– A (New Jersey)
– Little (Pennsylvania)
– Lamb (New York)
– Just (North Carolina)
– Like (South Carolina)
– The (Georgia)
– Colonies (Connecticut)
– In (Rhode Island)
– A (Massachusetts)
– Line (Virginia)
This method can be quite catchy and easy to remember.
2. Storytelling
Another effective way to remember the order of the 13 colonies is by creating a story. You can think of each colony as a character in a story, and their placement in the story would correspond to their order. For example:
– The story begins with “Mary” (Maryland), who meets “Had” (Delaware) at the “A” (New Jersey) station.
– They are soon joined by “Little” (Pennsylvania), who introduces them to “Lamb” (New York).
– Together, they embark on a journey, encountering “Just” (North Carolina), “Like” (South Carolina), and “The” (Georgia).
– Along the way, they meet “Colonies” (Connecticut), “In” (Rhode Island), and “A” (Massachusetts).
– Finally, they reach “Line” (Virginia), where their adventure comes to an end.
This storytelling technique can help you visualize the order of the colonies and make it easier to remember.
3. Mapping the Colonies
Another useful method is to map out the 13 colonies on a map of the Eastern seaboard. As you place each colony on the map, you can practice saying their names in order to reinforce the sequence. Additionally, you can use color coding or highlighting to make the order more visually appealing and memorable.
4. Mnemonic Devices
Mnemonic devices are memory aids that help you remember information. Here’s a mnemonic device for the 13 colonies:
“Mary Had a Little Lamb, Just Like the Colonies in a Line:
Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York,
North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Connecticut,
Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Virginia.”
By using this mnemonic device, you can easily recall the order of the 13 colonies.
In conclusion, remembering the order of the 13 colonies can be made easier by employing various mnemonic devices, such as acronyms, rhymes, storytelling, mapping, and mnemonic phrases. By utilizing these techniques, you can ensure that you have a strong grasp of the sequence and can confidently discuss the history of the United States’ early colonial period.
