DELAWARE - Before achieving statehood and earning the moniker "The First State," Delaware's identity was a bit more complex. Throughout the 17th and early 18th centuries, the region now known as Delaware existed under various names and political configurations.
Delaware: From Colonial Outpost to the First State
Early Settlements and Colonial Rule
The area that would eventually become Delaware was initially inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Lenape and Nanticoke peoples. European colonization began in the early 17th century, with the Dutch establishing the first settlement in 1631. The colony changed hands several times, passing from Dutch to Swedish to English rule, and was known by different names throughout this period.
The Lower Counties on the Delaware
Under British rule, the area was officially known as "The Three Lower Counties on the Delaware River," or simply "The Lower Counties." These counties – New Castle, Kent, and Sussex – were considered part of the Pennsylvania colony, though they operated with a degree of autonomy.
The Road to Independence
As tensions grew between the American colonies and Great Britain, Delaware, like its counterparts, began to assert its own identity and desire for self-governance. In 1704, Delaware established its own General Assembly, separating its legislative body from Pennsylvania while still sharing the same governor.
On June 15, 1776, the Delaware Assembly took a bold step, declaring independence from Great Britain and establishing itself as a separate state. This act predated the signing of the Declaration of Independence by two weeks, making Delaware the first colony to officially break away from British rule.
The First State
Following the Declaration of Independence, Delaware drafted and adopted its own state constitution on September 20, 1776. The state's commitment to independence was further solidified on December 7, 1787, when it became the first state to ratify the United States Constitution. This historic act earned Delaware the nickname "The First State," a title that remains a source of pride for its residents.
A Legacy of Independence
Delaware's journey to statehood reflects the broader struggle for independence and self-governance that characterized the American Revolution. Its early declaration of independence and its pivotal role in ratifying the Constitution solidified its place in American history. Today, Delaware's unique past is commemorated in its state flag and seal, which proudly display the date of its independence declaration, June 15, 1776.
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