Native Americans
Humans have lived in what is now Delaware for thousands of years. Before the arrival of Europeans, the area was inhabited by two large Native American tribes, the Leni-Lenape (also known as the Delaware) and the Nanticoke. These people hunted, fished, and grew crops such as beans, squash, and corn. For the house, I made a wigwam out of branches, grass and mud.
Information about Delaware State:
| Capital | Dover |
| Population | 1,018,396 (Source: 2022 U.S. Census) |
| Major Cities | Wilmington, Dover, Newark, Middletown |
| Borders | New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Atlantic Ocean |
| Gross Domestic Product (GDP) | $91,581.1 million (2022 U.S. Department of Commerce) |
| Key Industries | Agriculture including soybeans, dairy products, poultry, and corn Pharmaceuticals, healthcare, automotive, chemicals, and apparel |
Flag of Delaware State:
Europeans Arrive
In 1609 Henry Hudson explored the Delaware Bay in search of a route to China. Just one year later, Sir Samuel Argal discovered the bay by chance while on a voyage to Virginia. Argal named the bay De La War, after the governor of Virginia. So this state eventually got the name Delaware.
The first Europeans to settle in Delaware in 1631 were the Dutch. However, conflicts soon broke out with the local Native Americans, and the Dutch settlers were wiped out. A few years later, in 1638, some Swedish settlers established their first settlement at Fort Christina. Today, the settlement is Wilmington, Delaware’s largest city. The Swedish settlement began to thrive and grow in the fur trade.
Delaware State Symbols
- Delaware State Nickname: First State
- Delaware State Slogan: It’s Good Being First
- Delaware State Motto: Liberty and independence
- Delaware State flower: Peach blossom
- Delaware State bird: Blue Hen Chicken
- Delaware State fish: Weakfish
- Delaware State tree: American Holly
- Delaware State mammal: Grey Fox
- Delaware State foods: Milk
Changing Hands
Over the next few years, control of the country switched between Dutch and British. First captured by the Dutch in 1655, the area became part of the New Netherlands. Then, in 1664, an English fleet arrived, conquered the area, and named it New York. Delaware he became part of the Colony of Pennsylvania in 1682 and was known as Lower His County on the Delaware River. By 1704, Delaware shared a governor with Pennsylvania, but had mostly its own government.
American Revolution
When the American Revolutionary War began in 1775, the people of Delaware were unsure whether they wanted to secede from England. When it came time to vote in favor of the Declaration of Independence of 1776, the delegates were divided. Two delegates were pro-independence and one was against. The night before the vote, pro-independence advocate Caesar Rodney was in Dover. When he learned that a vote would be held, he drove 70 miles through a thunderstorm to Philadelphia at night to vote for Delaware, which declared independence along with other colonies.
Although few battles were fought in Delaware during the Revolutionary War, many Delaware men served in the Continental Army. Known for their fierce fighting, they were nicknamed “Blue Hen Hicks” after the blue-feathered cockfight. The blue hen later became the state bird of Delaware.
The Geography of Delaware
- Total Size of Delaware: 1,954 sq. miles (source: 2003 Census)
- Geographical Low Point of Delaware: Atlantic Ocean at Sea Level (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
- Geographical High Point of Delaware: On Ebright Road at Delaware-Pennsylvania State line at 448 feet, located in the county/subdivision of New Castle (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
- Central Point of Delaware: Located in Kent County approx. 11 miles south of Dover (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
- Counties of Delaware: 3 (source: National Association of Counties)
- Bodies of Water of Delaware: Delaware River, Delaware Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Becoming a State
After the Revolutionary War, Delaware quickly ratified the new U.S. Constitution and joined the Union. Delaware became the first state on December 7, 1787 and has been known by the nickname “First State” ever since.
Famous People of Delaware State:
| NAMES | PROFESSIONS |
| Joe Biden | 46th President of the United States and a former Senator from Delaware |
| Mary Ann Shadd Cary | Civil rights activist |
| Annie Jump Cannon | Astronomer who helped develop the classification of stars |
| E.I. du Pont | Frenchman who founded the DuPont Chemical Company in Delaware |
| Henry Heimlich | Doctor who developed the Heimlich maneuver used to save people from choking |
| Daniel Nathans | Biologist and winner of the Nobel Prize for medicine |
| Howard Pyle | Author of the Merry Adventures of Robin Hood |
| Judge Reinhold | Actor |
Interesting Facts of Delaware State:
Delaware is called the “First State” because it was the first state to join the Union.
The state’s chemical industry was founded in 1802 by the DuPont gunpowder Works in Wilmington.
It has the fewest counties of any US state, just three.
Delaware is only 55 miles wide at its widest point. It is her second smallest state in the United States.
The Diamond State nickname is not because of its abundance of diamonds. It comes from Thomas Jefferson, who described Delaware as a little precious gem.
Delaware is the only state with no national parks, historic sites or monuments.
The state’s official insect is the ladybug.
The state does not have any major sports teams, but it does have a major auto racing track that hosts two NASCAR races each year.
Timeline Overview:
1609 – English explorer Henry Hudson visits Delaware Bay and explores the coast.
1610 – Sir Samuel Argal names Delaware Bay after Sir De La Warr, Governor of Virginia.
1631 – The first European settlement is founded by the Dutch. They will be exterminated by Native Americans within a year.
1638 – The first settlement, Fort Christina, is founded by the Swedes. Will be in Wilmington.
1655 – Holland takes over control of Sweden.
1664 – England seizes power and Delaware becomes part of New York.
1717 – The city of Dover is founded.
1776 – Delegate Caesar Rodney drives all night to vote on the Declaration of Independence. 777 – Dover becomes the capital.
1787 – Delaware becomes the first state.
1802 – DuPont is founded as a gunpowder factory.
1865 – Ratification of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution abolishes slavery in Delaware.
1969 – The second section of the Delaware Memorial Bridge opens.