If you read the last paragraph of the Declaration of Independence, you will learn FOR THE FIRST TIME in your joint LIVES ... that the original 13 Colonies declared themselves to be 13 sovereign, independent NATIONS. See that paragraph below and NOTE WELL that the NATION of Great Britain is referred to as the STATE of Great Britain, in other words, for our Founders, ... STATE = NATION ... !!!!!!!!!
We ... do ... declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do.