Which of the following was an original colony of the United States?

Virginia was one of the original colonies established in America during the early 17th century. It was founded in 1607 with the establishment of Jamestown, which is widely recognized as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Virginia played a crucial role in the development of the early United States and was one of the 13 colonies that later declared independence from British rule in 1776.

The other options, while they are now part of the United States, were not original colonies. California was acquired much later through various means, including the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. Texas, originally part of Spanish territory, later became an independent republic before joining the United States in the mid-19th century. Florida was ceded to the United States from Spain in 1819, well after the original colonies were established. Thus, Virginia's significance as an original colony sets it apart from the other choices.