Delaware Facts and Information

50 States – Delaware
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Delaware Census Records
Find all the free Delaware census records from 1810-1930.

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State Information for Delaware

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Delaware State Symbols:

• Delaware State Bird: Blue Hen Chicken
• Delaware State Flower: Peach Blossom
• Delaware State Tree: American Holly
• Delaware State Colors: Colonial Blue and Buff
• Delaware State Song: “Our Delaware”
• Delaware State Insect: Ladybug
• Delaware State Butterfly: Tiger Swallowtail
• Delaware State Fish: Weakfish
• Delaware State Beverage: Milk

Delaware State Nicknames:

• First State: December 7, 1787, Delaware became the first of the 13 original states to ratify the United States Constitution.
• Diamond State: So called by Thomas Jefferson who compared Delaware to a diamond (small but valuable).
• Blue Hen State: Referring to the official state bird (Blue Hen Chicken), which Delaware Revolutionary War soldiers carried for cockfighting.
• Small Wonder: A new nickname which honor’s the state’s contributions to the country as well as its natural beauty
• Corporate Capital: Delaware is well known for business friendly laws which attract corporations to incorporate in the state.

Delaware State Seal:

Adopted on January 17, 1777. Original elements of the seal are as follows:

• Sheaf of wheat from the Sussex County seal: Signifying the agricultural vitality of the state.
• Ear of corn from the Kent County seal: Symbolizing the agricultural basis of Delaware’s economy.
• Blue stripe represents the Delaware River: The central character of commerce and transportation at the time.
• An ox: Representing the role of animal husbandry to the state’s economy.
• A ship: Symbolizing the states coastal commerce and ship building industry in New Castle County.
• The farmer with the hoe: Emphasizing the importance of farming in the state.
• The soldier (militiaman): Recognized for the protection of American liberties.
• The state motto: “Liberty and Independence”
• The state flag.

Delaware History:

• A Dutchman named Henry Hudson was credited with Delaware’s discovery in 1609.
• It is named after the Delaware Bay and Delaware River, which in-turn were named after the Virginia governor, Lord De La Warr.
• The Delaware Tribe of Indians are the Lenni Lenape.
• The Delaware quarter (1999) was the first produced in the series and depicts the historic horseback ride of Caesar Rodney in 1776.

Interesting Facts about Delaware:

• The Delaware Memorial Bridge is the longest twin span suspension bridge in the world.
• The Old Swedes (Holy Trinity Church) is one of the oldest churches in the country still in use.
• Delaware is one of only five states with no sales tax.
• More broiler chickens are raised in Sussex County Delaware than any other county in the United States
• Delaware’s average altitude is about 60 feet above sea level, making it the lowest average altitude of any state
• Delaware has only three counties – the fewest of any state (which has counties).
• Washington crossing “the Delaware” refers to the river (from Pennsylvania to New Jersey) and not the state.

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