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

California was not one of the 13 original states established during the formation of the United States. The original thirteen states were those that declared independence from British rule and subsequently ratified the Articles of Confederation. These states include well-known names such as New York, Virginia, and Georgia, which were among the first to join the union as colonies.

California, on the other hand, became a state much later, being admitted to the Union in 1850 as part of the Compromise of 1850. The distinction of California's admission shows its development after the initial founding of the United States, highlighting its separate historical context, which is crucial for understanding U.S. history and the formation of the country.