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Delaware was the first state to ratify the US Constitution, leading to the formation of a strong national government. Its history dates back to the Dutch and Swedish settlements, and it played a significant role in the American Revolution. Delaware’s state flag features a buff diamond and colonial blue background, with the state motto “Liberty and Independence.” “First State” became its official nickname in 2002.
Delaware is known as the first US state because it was the first of the original 13 colonies to ratify the Constitution that formed the US government. Prior to this unification, the 13 colonies were all under British rule. Feeling that basic rights and freedoms were being denied by the British Empire, the colonies united and declared independence from Great Britain during the American Revolution. Eventually, the colonies would unite to form a strong national government through the ratification of the United States Constitution.
Delaware’s history, however, goes back much further than its position as the first state. The first Europeans to settle in the region where the Dutch, in 1631 established a trading post in the area, within a year, however, the original settlers were dead from conflict with local Indian tribes. In 1638, the Swedes successfully established Fort Christina, the first permanent settlement in Delaware. The Dutch re-settled the Delaware Valley in 1651, establishing New Castle and eventually capturing Fort Christina. After changing hands a few more times, the settlement came under permanent English control in 1674.
The factors leading to the American Revolutionary War and Delaware’s eventual position as the first state were several. The colonist may have resented their lack of representation in the British Parliament and opposed taxes without their consent. Although Delaware had a large and vibrant community of individuals who remained loyal to Great Britain, the colony voted for independence. On July 4, 1776, the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence to forge strong ties with Great Britain. Two months later, Delaware officially established itself as a state and separated its government from neighboring Pennsylvania.
Though small, the former state contributed nearly 4,000 soldiers to the American Revolutionary War. To entertain themselves, these soldiers often enjoyed cockfighting with the blue hens. A breed of chicken known for the ferocity it displayed when fighting. The term would later be adopted as a nickname for soldiers, and the extraordinary Delaware was nicknamed the “Blue Hen State.”
While still at war, the 13 states originally adopted the Articles of Confederation, a system of government with the states as the primary authority and a subordinate central government in place. After the war, Delaware was struggling with an economic depression and debt. High taxes levied on goods imported from other states and overuse of farmland were also seen as significant problems. Some citizens believed that a stronger national government was needed to regulate prices and defend the state’s coast from attack.
In 1787, state representatives were sent to a convention to discuss changes to the Articles of Confederation, however, discussions soon focused on creating a stronger national government. After drafting the US Constitution, the document was sent to all states and voted on by individual citizens. In Delaware, special state conventions were held to determine who would vote. Thirty men were chosen with 10 each representing the three Delaware counties. After deliberating, they voted unanimously for the constitution and took Delaware to its historic seat as the first state.
The date Delaware ratified the United States Constitution is included in the Delaware state flag. The Delaware flag features a buff diamond centered on a colonial blue background, colors meant to represent the uniform worn by General George Washington. An American Revolutionary War soldier and a colonial farmer are depicted inside the flags, while the ribbon banner on the flag reads “Liberty and Independence,” the state motto. “First State” became the official nickname of the state of Delaware in 2002.
