After declaring independence from Great Britain in 1775 before the Declaration of Independence was officially adopted , the Virginia Colony became the Commonwealth of Virginia , one of the original thirteen states of the United States , adopting as its official slogan `` The Old Dominion '' .
After declaring independence from Great Britain in 1775 and before the Declaration of Independence was officially adopted , the Virginia Colony became one of the original thirteen states of the United States , adopting as its official slogan `` The Old Dominion '' .