Delaware History Facts: Go Back In Time With This Trivia
- Fun Facts About Delaware. Apart from being the first state to ratify the Constitution, Delaware, also called Small Wonder owing to its small size, is notable for many things, including ...
- Historical Facts About Delaware. ...
- Facts About Delaware's Colonies. ...
- Weird Facts About Delaware. ...
Full Answer
What is the nickname of Delaware?
Jan 20, 2020 · Why is Delaware called the Small Wonder? " Small Wonder " This nickname was given to Delaware due to its size and the contributions it has made to our country as a whole and the beauty of Delaware .
What are some facts about Delaware?
"The feeling here was that 'Small Wonder' put the emphasis where it wasn't wanted, i.e., on Delaware's size," said Eric Ruth, a spokesman for the tourism office.
Is there a city in Delaware that is over 100000?
"Small Wonder" This nickname was given to Delaware due to its size and the contributions it has made to our country as a whole and the beauty of Delaware. ... New Castle, Kent and Sussex Upon Delaware.” After the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, the Delaware Assembly called a special constitutional convention, which ...
Why is Delaware called the Diamond State?
Aug 21, 2018 · Capital: Dover Population: 897,934 (2010) Size: 2,489 square miles Nickname(s): The First State; The Diamond State; Blue Hen State; Small Wonder Motto: Liberty and Independence Tree: American Holly
How did Delaware get the nickname the Small wonder?
This nickname was given to Delaware due to its size and the contributions it has made to our country as a whole and the beauty of Delaware.
What is the nickname for Small wonder?
Small Wonder: This nickname was given to Delaware due to its size, the contributions it has made to our country, and the beauty of Delaware.
What is Delaware most known for?
What is the nickname for Wilmington Delaware?
What is the official nickname of Delaware?
What is Delaware state motto?
What is Delaware state flower?
Passage of the act to adopt the Peach Blossom on May 9, 1895, was prompted by Delaware's reputation as the "Peach State," since her orchards contained more than 800,000 peach trees yielding a crop worth thousands of dollars at that time.
What is Delaware state animal?
Adopted June 10, 2010, the grey fox is a unique and primitive species, believed to be between 7 and 10 million years old, which is indigenous to Delaware.
What is a fun fact about Delaware?
Why is Delaware called the first state?
What is the capital city of Delaware?
How many nicknames does Delaware have?
What is Delaware known for?
Delaware is known by this nickname due to the fact that on December 7, 1787, it became the first of the 13 original states to ratify the U.S. Constitution. "The First State"became the official State nickname on May 23, 2002 following a request by Mrs. Anabelle O'Malley's First Grade Class at Mt. Pleasant Elementary School.
What is the nickname of Delaware?
Delaware Nicknames. Delaware is known by this nickname due to the fact that on December 7, 1787, it became the first of the 13 original states to ratify the U.S. Constitution. "The First State"became the official State nickname on May 23, 2002 following a request by Mrs. Anabelle O'Malley's First Grade Class at Mt. Pleasant Elementary School.
Is Delaware a state?
Delaware is a state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, in the northeastern portion of the Delmarva Peninsula and is the second smallest, the sixth least populous, but the sixth most densely populated of the 50 United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, to the northeast by New Jersey, ...
How many counties are there in Delaware?
Delaware is divided into three counties, the lowest number of counties of any state. The state was named after the Delaware River which in turn derived its name from Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr (1577-1618), the governor of the Colony of Virginia at the time the river was first explored by Europeans.
Where did the name Delaware come from?
Origin of Delaware State Name. Delaware is not a Native American name. Exploring the Atlantic coast north of Jamestown in 1610, Captain Samuel Argall discovered a large bay which he named in honor of Sir Thomas West, Third Lord de la Warr and the first governor of the Virginia. The title is likely ultimately derived from ...
Why is Delaware called the Diamond State?
This nickname, Diamond State, was given to Delaware, according to legend, by Thomas Jefferson because he described Delaware as a "jewel" among states due to its strategic location on the Eastern Seaboard.
What was the first state?
First State. Delaware is known by this nickname due to the fact that on December 7, 1787, it became the first of the 13 original states to ratify the US Constitution. " The First State " became the official State nickname on May 23, 2002.
Animals
Adopted on April 14, 1939, the Blue Hen chicken had long been used as a motif in numerous political campaigns and in many publications.
Geography
Delaware ranks 49th in the nation with a total area of 1,982 square miles, (approximately 5,133.36 sq km). New Castle County is 438 square miles (1,134.41 sq km). Kent County is 594 square miles (1,538.45 sq km). Sussex County is 950 square miles (2,460.49 sq km).
Geology
On July 2, 1996, belemnite was named as the official fossil of Delaware. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School (Wilmington) third grade Quest students of Kathy Tidball suggested honoring the ancient and noble belemnite as our State fossil.
Insects
Adopted April 25, 1974, the Lady Bug was chosen by the Legislature after an intensive effort on the insect's behalf by Mrs. Mollie Brown-Rust and her 2nd grade students of the Lulu M. Ross Elementary School in Milford, Delaware.
Plants
Passage of the act to adopt the Peach Blossom on May 9, 1895, was prompted by Delaware's reputation as the "Peach State," since her orchards contained more than 800,000 peach trees yielding a crop worth thousands of dollars at that time.
What is Delaware Bay known for?
Delaware Bay is home to more horseshoe crabs than anywhere else in the world. Mostly unchanged for the past 300 million years, these “living fossils” were collected by Native American Indians for food and used as fertilizer—a practice that was passed along to early colonial settlers and continued until the 1960s.
What is the state of Delaware?
It is the second smallest state in the country and one of the most densely populated. The state is organized into three counties—from north to south, New Castle, Kent and Sussex—all established by 1682. Its population, like its industry, is concentrated in the north, around Wilmington, where the major coastal highways and railways pass through from Pennsylvania and New Jersey on the north and east into Maryland on the south and west. The rest of the state comprises the northeastern corner of the Delmarva Peninsula, which Delaware shares with Maryland and Virginia (hence its name). Most state government operations are located in Dover, the capital.
Where is Delaware located?
Contents. The first of the original 13 states to ratify the federal Constitution, Delaware occupies a small niche in the Boston–Washington, D.C. , urban corridor along the Middle Atlantic seaboard.
When was the Delaware Valley founded?
The first European colony in the Delaware Valley was established by Swedish settlers in 1638. Between 1698 and 1699, the descendants of these early colonists constructed Old Swedes Church (also known as Holy Trinity Church), which is one of the oldest houses of worship in America still in use.
Why is Delaware called the Diamond State?
OTHER NICKNAMES: “The Diamond State”: Thomas Jefferson gave this nickname to Delaware, according to legend, because he described Delaware as a “jewel” among states due to its strategic location on the Eastern Seaboard. “Blue Hen State”:
What constellation is Delaware Diamond in?
State Star: Delaware Diamond. On June 30, 2000, the Delaware Diamond, located in the constellation of Ursa Major (Great Bear), with coordinates of right ascension 9h40m44s and declination 48�14’2″, was designated as Delaware’s State star.
What is the state seal of Delaware?
The state seal was first adopted on January 17, 1777, and contains the coat of arms. It also bears the inscription around it “Great Seal of the State of Delaware” and the dates 1793, 1847, and 1907. Descriptions of the contents of the seal are as follows: 1 The Wheat Sheaf— was adapted from the Sussex County seal and signifies the agricultural vitality of Delaware. 2 The Ship— is a symbol of New Castle County’s ship building industry and Delaware’s extensive coastal commerce. 3 The Corn— is taken from the Kent County seal and also symbolizes the agricultural basis of Delaware’s economy. 4 The Farmer— with the hoe represents the central role of farming to the state. 5 The Militiaman— with his musket recognizes the crucial role of the citizen-soldier to the maintenance of American liberties. 6 The Ox— represents the importance of animal husbandry to the state economy. 7 The Water— (above the Ox) stands for the Delaware River, the main stay of the state’s commerce and transportation. 8 The Motto— was derived from the Order of Cincinnati, and approved in 1847. 9 The Dates–1704, the year that Delaware established its General Assembly; 1776, the year that our independence from Great Britain was declared; and 1787, the year that Delaware became “the First State” by being the first colony to ratify the United States Constitution.
What is the Delaware flag?
Adopted on July 24, 1913, the Delaware state flag has a background of colonial blue surrounding a diamond of buff color in which the coat of arms of the state is placed. Below the diamond are the words “December 7, 1787,” indicating the day on which Delaware was the first state to ratify the United States constitution.
When did Delaware become a state?
State Government: Delaware became a state in 1776, just two months after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The capital was moved from New Castle to Dover in 1777. Delaware’s first constitution was adopted in 1797. The current constitution was adopted in 1897.
How long is Delaware?
Delaware is 96 miles long and varies from 9 to 35 miles in width. Climate: Delaware’s climate is moderate year round. Average monthly temperatures range from 75.8 to 32.0 degrees. Average temperature in the summer months is 74.3 degrees. About 57% of the days are sunny.
When was the Delaware seal adopted?
The state seal was first adopted on January 17, 1777, and contains the coat of arms. It also bears the inscription around it “Great Seal of the State of Delaware” and the dates 1793, 1847, and 1907. Descriptions of the contents of the seal are as follows:
What is Delaware known for?
Delaware is known by this nickname due to the fact that on December 7, 1787, it became the first of the 13 original states to ratify the U.S. Constitution. “The First State” became the official State nickname on May 23, 2002 following a request by Mrs. Anabelle O'Malley's First Grade Class at Mt. Pleasant Elementary School.
Why is Delaware called Delaware?
Thomas Jefferson gave this nickname to Delaware, according to legend, because he described Delaware as a "jewel" among states due to its strategic location on the Eastern Seaboard.
What is the state of Delaware?
On the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, Delaware is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay, as well as by the states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland. Delaware's location affords easy access to the major metropolitan areas of the Northeast. Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Baltimore are all within a 2-hour drive.
When did Delaware become a state?
Delaware became a state in 1776, just two months after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The capital was moved from New Castle to Dover in 1777. Delaware's first constitution was adopted in 1792. The current constitution was adopted in 1897. It has been modernized with many new amendments since that time. Today, Delaware has a cabinet form of government.
When did Delaware adopt the peach blossom?
Passage of the act to adopt the Peach Blossom on May 9, 1895, was prompted by Delaware's reputation as the "Peach State," since her orchards contained more than 800,000 peach trees yielding a crop worth thousands of dollars at that time.2
What constellation is Delaware Diamond?
On June 30, 2000, the Delaware Diamond, located in the constellation of Ursa Major (Great Bear), with coordinates of right ascension 9h40m44s and declination 48°14’2”, was designated as Delaware’s State star. It is a star of the 12th magnitude and is the first star on the International Star Registry ever to be registered to an American State. It can be seen with binoculars or a telescope. Twelve-year-old Amy Nerlinger of Wilmington named the star through a contest sponsored by the Delaware Museum of Natural History in the summer of 1999.13
What was the Blue Hen chicken used for?
Adopted on April 14, 1939, the Blue Hen chicken had long been used as a motif in numerous political campaigns and in many publications. During the Revolutionary War, the men of Captain Jonathan Caldwell's company, recruited in Kent County, took with them game chickens that were said to be of the brood of a famous Blue Hen and were noted for their fighting ability. When not fighting the enemy, the officers and men amused themselves by pitting their Blue Hen chickens in cockfights. The fame of these cockfights spread throughout the army and when in battle, the Delaware men fought so valiantly that they were compared to these fighting cocks.3
Where did Delaware get its name?
The state takes its name from the nearby Delaware River named after Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr, an English nobleman and Virginia 's first colonial governor. Delaware occupies the northeastern portion of the Delmarva Peninsula and some islands and territory within the Delaware River.
How big is Delaware?
Delaware is 96 miles (154 km) long and ranges from 9 miles (14 km) to 35 miles (56 km) across, totaling 1,954 square miles (5,060 km 2 ), making it the second-smallest state in the United States after Rhode Island. Delaware is bounded to the north by Pennsylvania; to the east by the Delaware River, Delaware Bay, New Jersey and the Atlantic Ocean; and to the west and south by Maryland. Small portions of Delaware are also situated on the eastern side of the Delaware River sharing land boundaries with New Jersey. The state of Delaware, together with the Eastern Shore counties of Maryland and two counties of Virginia, form the Delmarva Peninsula, which stretches down the Mid-Atlantic Coast.
What state is Delaware in?
Delaware ( / ˈdɛləwɛər / ( listen) DEL-ə-wair) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Maryland to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and New Jersey and the Atlantic Ocean to its east.
Who inhabited Delaware?
Before its coastline was explored by Europeans in the 16th century, Delaware was inhabited by several groups of Native Americans, including the Lenape in the north and Nanticoke in the south. It was initially colonized by Dutch traders at Zwaanendael, near the present town of Lewes, in 1631.
Is Delaware a corporate state?
Since the turn of the 20th century, Delaware is also a de facto onshore corporate haven, in which by virtue of its corporate laws, the state is the domicile of over 50% of all NYSE -listed business and 60% of the Fortune 500 .
What tribes lived in Delaware?
Before Delaware was settled by European colonists, the area was home to the Eastern Algonquian tribes known as the Unami Lenape, or Delaware, who lived mostly along the coast, and the Nanticoke who occupied much of the southern Delmarva Peninsula. John Smith also shows two Iroquoian tribes, the Kuskarawock and Tockwogh, living north of the Nanticoke—they may have held small portions of land in the western part of the state before migrating across the Chesapeake Bay. The Kuskarawocks were most likely the Tuscarora .
Who were the first Europeans to settle in Delaware?
The Dutch were the first Europeans to settle in present-day Delaware in the middle region by establishing a trading post at Zwaanendael, near the site of Lewes in 1631. Within a year all the settlers were killed in a dispute with area Native American tribes. In 1638 New Sweden, a Swedish trading post and colony, was established at Fort Christina (now in Wilmington) by Peter Minuit at the head of a group of Swedes, Finns and Dutch . The colony of New Sweden lasted 17 years. In 1651 the Dutch , reinvigorated by the leadership of Peter Stuyvesant, established a fort at present-day New Castle, and in 1655 they conquered the New Sweden colony, annexing it into the Dutch New Netherland. Only nine years later, in 1664, the Dutch were conquered by a fleet of English ships by Sir Robert Carr under the direction of James, the Duke of York. Fighting off a prior claim by Cecil Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore, Proprietor of Maryland, the Duke passed his somewhat dubious ownership on to William Penn in 1682. Penn strongly desired access to the sea for his Pennsylvania province and leased what then came to be known as the "Lower Counties on the Delaware" from the Duke.
What is the small wonder of Delaware?
For years “Small Wonder” was Delaware’s nickname, and it still resonates with residents and visitors for the beauty that the state holds within its borders. The northern part of the state, in upper New Castle County, sees rolling hills and rocky outcrops due to Delaware’s location on the southern edge of the Appalachian Piedmont. Stretched between Newark and Wilmington is the “fall line” which separates the Piedmont from the southern Atlantic Coastal Plain that dominates the remainder of the state.
What county is Delaware in?
The northern part of the state, in upper New Castle County, sees rolling hills and rocky outcrops due to Delaware’s location on the southern edge of the Appalachian Piedmont. Stretched between Newark and Wilmington is the “fall line” which separates the Piedmont from the southern Atlantic Coastal Plain that dominates the remainder of the state.
How many miles of coastline does Delaware have?
Delaware has 24 miles of coast that border the Atlantic Ocean. While most of the shore is developed and draws flocks of tourists in the summer, Cape Henlopen State Park has some of the most stunning dune crossings and pristine sandy stretches.
How long is the Delaware Bay coast?
Though the ocean coast is only 24 miles long, the shoreline along the Delaware Bay and River adds another 90+ miles of coast. Stretching from the point at Cape Henlopen State Park to Woodland Beach in Smyrna, sandy bay beaches are a quiet treasure.
How many rivers are there in Delaware?
There are 27 official rivers and major creeks in Delaware and while none come close to the mighty Mississippi River, or the rapid waters of the Colorado River, they're still stunning nonetheless. White Clay Creek in northern Delaware is listed as an official "wild and scenic river.".
Is Delaware a wildlife refuge?
And finally, even though they aren't ecosystem types on their own, Delaware's two national wildlife refuges are both in and of themselves natural wonders. With forests, ponds, streams, wetlands, and grasslands in each, they are definitely quiet havens for nature-loving humans and endless species of plants and animals.
Where is the Great Cypress Swamp?
Great Cypress Swamp. Ducks Unlimited. Covering 50 square miles of the Delmarva Peninsula, the Great Cypress Swamp is the largest forested wetland in the region, and the northernmost density of bald cypress trees.
What is the nickname of Delaware?
Delaware State Nicknames. Whereas there is only one Delaware motto, there exist a number of state nicknames for Delaware: "The First State " (Official)". In 2002 this became Delaware's official state nickname (as is also the case with the Delaware state motto, great pride is associated with this nickname). The Delaware state nickname came about as ...
What is the slogan of Delaware?
It is a reference to Delaware being the first state to ratify the Constitution: VisitDelaware.com. "Smaller, Faster, Smarter". This is another one of the Delaware state slogans. It is a reference to Delaware's effective education system: Small programs, fast degrees, and smart teachers.
What is the Delaware motto?
The Delaware motto refers to the fact that in 1787, Delaware became the first of the 13 original states to ratify the United States Constitution. "The Diamond State". The origin of this Delaware state nickname goes back to Thomas Jefferson who flatteringly compared Delaware to a diamond: 'small in size but high in value'.
When was the Delaware motto created?
The Delaware state motto was formed in 1783 by the Society of the Cincinnati. It was adopted in the year of 1847 and it appears on both the state flag and state seal.
Delaware Name Origin and State Nicknames
Origin of Delaware State Name
- Delaware is not a Native American name. Exploring the Atlantic coast north of Jamestown in 1610, Captain Samuel Argall discovered a large bay which he named in honor of Sir Thomas West, Third Lord de la Warr and the first governor of the Virginia. The title is likely ultimately derived from the Old French de la werre("of the war"or a warrior). Apparently, Governor West was unimpr…
Delaware Nicknames
- Delaware is known by this nickname due to the fact that on December 7, 1787, it became the first of the 13 original states to ratify the U.S. Constitution. "The First State"became the official State nickname on May 23, 2002 following a request by Mrs. Anabelle O'Malley's First Grade Class at Mt. Pleasant Elementary School.