2023 Delaware Day Adventure
The Delaware Day adventure will run from Dec. 7 – 30, 2023 which is plenty of time to explore these incredible historic sites! Simply, visit each of the following locations, learn and explore about Delaware history and submit a photo of your visit for a chance to win a prize. Admission is free at all of […]
Read MoreRatifiers of The U.S. Constitution, New Castle County
Gunning Bedford, Senior (1742-1797), a lawyer of New Castle Hundred, served in the House of Assembly in 1784, 1785 and 1786. In 1775 he was a Major in the Continental Army and in 1776 he became a Lieutenant-Colonel in Colonel John Haslet’s Regiment. In 1777 he served as the prothonotary of New Castle County. From […]
Read MoreDelaware Ratifiers of The U.S. Constitution, Kent County
Nicholas Ridgely (1762-1830), a Dover lawyer, at the age of 25 became a member of the Delaware convention that ratified the federal constitution in 1787. In 1791 he was a member of the state constitutional convention. Frequently he served in the General Assembly. After serving as Attorney-General for ten years, in 1801 he became Chancellor. […]
Read MoreDelaware Ratifiers of The U.S. Constitution, Sussex County
John Ingram (d. 1798), a farmer and mill owner of Broadkill Hundred, was a member of the Delaware convention that ratified the federal constitution in 1787. A well-to-do farmer, his property was assessed at L16 in 1788, and the inventory of his possessions totaled £855 in 1798. He served as a trustee of the poor […]
Read MoreTeacher Resources
Delaware Day is a perfect opportunity for educators to explore Delaware’s signing of the Constitution and other related history. We’ve provided a series of materials and resources for teachers below. If you would have a lesson plan or other material you’d like to contribute, please contact us. Downloads Why is Delaware Called “The First State”?This […]
Read MorePhotos from 1930s
Photos and captions on this page are provided courtesy of the Delaware Public Archives. C. Douglass Buck Governor C. Douglass Buck signed the Proclamation making December Seventh Delaware Day on December 4, 1933. C. Douglass Buck served as Governor of Delaware from 1929 to 1937. Governor Richard McMullen w/Students Governor Richard McMullen is seen in […]
Read MoreNews from 1933
Delaware Day was widely reported in local Delaware newspapers in December of 1933. The Delaware Public Archives has microfilm of these newspapers and below are reproductions of the news about Delaware Day’s founding and the first Delaware Day. Choose any newspaper front page below to read the article about Delaware Day that is being highlighted.
Read MorePetition 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 […]
Read MoreDelaware Signers and Ratifiers of the U.S. Constitution
Delaware Signers of the U.S. Constitution Name Born Died George Read 9/18/1733 9/21/1798 Gunning Bedford,Jr. 1747 3/30/1812 John Dickinson 11/13/1732 2/14/1808 Richard Bassett 11/13/1732 2/14/1808 Jacob Broom 1752 4/25/1810 Delaware Ratifiers of The U.S. Constitution (Sussex County) Name Born Died John Ingram Unknown 1798 John Jones Unknown 1798 William Moore Uknown 1797 William Hall Unknown […]
Read MoreContact Information
Press Inquiries Rony Baltazar-Lopez Director of Policy & CommunicationsDelaware Department of State 2022 Delaware Day Adventure Daniel CitronHistoric Sites Team Manager Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs General Inquiries Office of the SecretaryWilmington OfficePhone: (302) 577-8161Fax: (302) 577-2694
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