Dubbed the "breadbasket colonies" for their fertile lands, the middle colonies were made up of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. New York : Originally a Dutch colony called New ...

and it became one of the original 13 colonies. New York achieved statehood in 1788, with the adoption of the U.S. Constitution, and New York City served as the new nation’s first capital.

When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Wendel White / Courtesy of Radius Books A fascinating new photography project takes ...