Petition Signers

Thanks to the efforts of a wise Delaware educator and legislator, Mr. E. Paul Burkholder along with the Rotary Club of Georgetown, a statewide effort was made in 1933 to have December 7 established as Delaware Day.

He and this Rotary Club secured more than 6,000 signatures on petitions, which were presented to the Governor and to the legislature. As a result, a House Joint Resolution was passed and approved on November 29, 1933. The first Delaware Day celebration was held December 7, 1933, by proclamation of Governor C. Douglass Buck.

Download a Detailed History: Establishment of Delaware Day [43k, PDF]

Today, we have copies of the petitions and many of the original signers are still living.

Below you can browse the names of 6,091 signers by last name or by searching for a name.