In the early years of English settlement, the Virginia Company struggled to survive. The colonists faced disease, starvation, and attacks from Native Americans. However, the colony eventually grew and prospered, and by the mid-17th century, it was a major center of English settlement in North America.
In 1775, the American Revolution began, and Virginia played a key role in the war. The state was home to many important battles, including the Battle of Yorktown, which led to the defeat of the British and the establishment of the United States as an independent nation.
After the American Revolution, Virginia became one of the original 13 states of the United States. The state has continued to play an important role in American history, and it is home to many important historical and cultural sites, such as Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington, and Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson.