People have inhabited the land that is today the state of Delaware for thousands of years. Before the Europeans arrived, there were two main Native American tribes that lived in the area: the Lenni-Lenape (also called the Delaware) and the Nanticoke. These people hunted, fished, and farmed crops such as beans, squash, and corn. For homes they made wigwams from tree branches, grass, and mud.
Delaware State Capitol by Joshua Daniel Franklin
Europeans Arrive
In 1609, Henry Hudson explored the Delaware Bay while trying to find a passageway to China. Just a year later, Sir Samuel Argall accidentally found the bay while sailing to Virginia. Argall named the bay De La Warr after the governor of Virginia. This is how the state eventually got the name Delaware.
The first Europeans to settle in Delaware were the Dutch in 1631. However, they soon got into a fight with the local Native Americans and the Dutch settlers were wiped out. A few years later in 1638, some Swedish settlers established the first permanent settlement at Fort Christina. Today this settlement is Wilmington, the largest city in Delaware. The Swedish settlement prospered off of the fur trading business and began to grow.
Changing Hands
Over the next several years, control of the land changed hands between the Dutch and the English. First, the Dutch took over in 1655 and the area became part of New Netherland. Then, in 1664, a British fleet arrived and conquered the region, naming it New York. Delaware became part of the Pennsylvania colony in 1682 and was known as the "Lower Counties on the Delaware." By 1704, Delaware largely had its own government, although it shared a governor with Pennsylvania.
American Revolution
When the American Revolution began in 1775, the people of Delaware were not sure they wanted to split from England. When it came time to vote for the Declaration of Independence in 1776, even the delegates were split with two delegates in favor of independence and one against. The night before the vote, Caesar Rodney, who was for independence, was in the city of Dover. When he learned that the vote was taking place, he rode 70 miles at night through a thunderstorm to Philadelphia in order to vote so that Delaware would join the other colonies in declaring independence.
State quarter of Delaware from the United States government
Few battles were fought in Delaware during the Revolutionary War, but many of Delaware's men served as soldiers in the Continental Army. They became known for their fierce fighting and earned the nickname the "Blue Hen Chicks" after the blue feathered fighting gamecock. The blue hen later became the Delaware state bird.
Becoming a State
After the Revolutionary War, Delaware was quick to ratify the new U.S. Constitution and join the Union. On December 7, 1787 Delaware became the first state and has since been known by the nickname the "First State."
Blue Hen of Delaware by Stilltim
Timeline
1609 - English explorer Henry Hudson visits the Delaware Bay and explores the coastline.
1610 - Sir Samuel Argall names the Delaware Bay after Virginia governor Sir De La Warr.
1631 - The first European settlement is built by the Dutch. They are wiped out within a year by Native Americans.
1638 - The first permanent settlement, Fort Christina, is established by the Swedish. It will become the city of Wilmington.
1655 - The Dutch take over from the Swedes.
1664 - The British take over and Delaware becomes part of New York.
1717 - The city of Dover is established.
1776 - Delegate Caesar Rodney rides through the night to vote in favor of the Declaration of Independence.
1777 - Dover becomes the capital city.
1787 - Delaware becomes the 1st state.
1802 - The DuPont Company is founded as a gunpowder mill.
1865 - Slavery is ended in Delaware with the ratification of the 13th amendment.
1969 - The second span of the Delaware Memorial Bridge opens.
