Heavens Angels Around The World

Delaware:

This beautiful (and bountiful) slice of land was accidentally discovered by Henry Hudson in 1609. He was looking for the Far East, when his ship (the Half Moon) sailed into Delaware Bay.

In 1638, the Swedes established a permanent colony near present-day Wilmington, and a few forts along the bay. All were eventually subjugated by the Dutch, beginning in 1655.

Small in physical size, it has a courageous and distinguished history as the first of the original thirteen colonies.

Its nickname, "The First State" rings true as Delaware was first to sign the Declaration of Independence and became the first state in 1787. .

The Revolutionary War ended, and in 1802, the famed Du Pont Corporation was formed here. Delaware would soon become a powerful economic and industrial center.

More than 50% of Fortune 500 companies are now incorporated within its borders, and it's a leader in the production of chemicals and plastics. In fact, Wilmington is known as the "Chemical Capital of the World."

It's also a quiet place with many farms and small rural communities, and it offers an idyllic recreational area for all to enjoy.

Delaware

Adopted on July 24, 1913, the Delaware flag has a background of colonial blue surrounding a diamond of buff color in which the coat of arms of the state of Delaware is placed. Below the diamond are the words "December 7, 1787," indicating the day on which Delaware was the first state to ratify the Federal Constitution.

Because of this ratification, Delaware became the first state in the Union, and is, therefore, accorded the first position in such national events as presidential inauguration's.

According to members of the original commission established to design the flag, the shades of buff and colonial blue represent those of the uniform of General George Washington, the first President of the United States, and adapted from an official U.S. Army publication.

The central images within the diamond represent the state's economy and history. Farming is honored by the farmer holding his hoe. The importance of animals is represented by the ox. The contributions of citizens who bore arms to defend the rights of all Delaware's population is evident in the musket-toting militiaman. Shipping, ship building, and water-based commerce are also honored.

Official name: Delaware
Capital: Dover
Statehood: Dec. 7, 1787 the 1st state
State nickname: The First State
Name for residents: Delawareans
State motto: Liberty and independence
Abbreviation: DE

Delaware's Historical Event's:

1609 Henry Hudson discovers what is now called Delaware Bay.
1610 Samuel Argall, an English explorer, gives the name "Cape De La Warr" to what is now Cape Henlopen.
1631 A group of Dutch patroons establish the short-lived colony of Swanendael.
1638 Peter Minuit and Swedish settlers found the first permanent settlement in the colony of New Sweden, Fort Christina, on the site of present-day Wilmington.
1655 Peter Stuyvesant seizes New Sweden for the Dutch West India Company.
1664 The English capture all of the Dutch settlements in the Delaware River valley.
1664 The Duke of York annexes all of the former Dutch settlements.
1682 The Duke of York deeds most of what is now Delaware to William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania.
1704 Delaware's assembly meets for the first time.
1776 Delegates from the three Delaware counties organize the state government.
1777 At Cooch's Bridge, American troops do battle with advance units of a British force marching on Philadelphia.
1777 The state capital is moved to Dover, where it remains.
1787 Delaware becomes the first state to ratify the United States Constitution (December 7).
1802 A gunpowder mill is built near Wilmington by Eleuthère Irénée du Pont de Nemours.
1829 The Chesapeake and Delaware Canal opens between Chesapeake and Delaware bays.
1832 The state's first steam-driven railroad is placed in operation.
1897 Delaware adopts its present constitution.
1924 The Du Pont Parkway, extending the entire length of the state, is opened and given to the state.
1951 The Delaware Memorial Bridge, connecting Delaware and New Jersey, is opened to traffic.
1971 The Coastal Zone Act is passed, prohibiting construction of new heavy industry or transfer facilities along the coast.
1978 School busing to achieve racial integration begins in New Castle County.
1988 Delaware enacts a law designed to deter hostile corporate takeovers.

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