Which of the following was NOT one of the original 13 states?

California was not one of the original 13 states. The original 13 states were established as the first colonies that declared independence from British rule and later formed the United States. These states include North Carolina, South Carolina, New York, and others, all of which were among the first to ratify the U.S. Constitution. California, on the other hand, was not part of the United States at the time of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. It was admitted as a state much later, in 1850, during the westward expansion and following the Gold Rush. Understanding these historical contexts helps clarify why California does not belong to the original group of states.