Delaware is a small state on the East Coast. It was the first to ratify the United States Constitution and shares a uniquely shaped border with neighboring Pennsylvania. How did Delaware get its name, and what commonly available material was first manufactured in this state?
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Table of Contents
- Delaware Shares a Unique Circular Border with Pennsylvania
- Delaware Was One of the First States to Operate a Lottery
- Why Is Delaware Nicknamed “The First State”?
- Delaware Has No State Sales Tax
- How Delaware Got Its Name
- Delaware’s Highest Point Is Easy to Overlook
- Delaware Was the First State to Fly the American Flag
- Delaware Is the Corporate Capital of America
- Delaware Had No National Park Service Sites Until 2013
- Record Temperatures in the State of Delaware
- The Small Town of Delmar Is Too Big for One State
- Seaford Was Home to the World’s First Nylon Factory
- Delaware Was Once Part of Pennsylvania
- Delaware Is the Second Smallest State in the USA
- The New Castle Courthouse Served as the State Capitol
- Zwaanendael Was Delaware’s First European Settlement
- Delaware Has One of the Oldest Courts in the USA
- A Restaurant in Rehoboth Beach Invented Spiral Pizza
Delaware Shares a Unique Circular Border with Pennsylvania
The northern border of Delaware has a distinctive partial-circle shape with a radius of 12 mi, centered on the dome of the courthouse in New Castle. This circular boundary was established due to colonial land grants and disputes between Pennsylvania’s founder, William Penn, and Lord Baltimore.
The border was set in 1682 and extends into the Delaware River, creating geographical anomalies. For instance, a small portion of Delaware is actually located within neighboring New Jersey. This unique circular border illustrates how early colonial documents unexpectedly shaped modern geography.
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Delaware Was One of the First States to Operate a Lottery
In 1974, Delaware became one of the first U.S. states in modern history to legalize and introduce a state-run lottery. The goal of the Delaware Lottery was to generate revenue for the state budget and educational programs.
Other U.S. states later followed suit. In addition to the lottery, Delaware operates three horse racing casinos, known as “racinos”. The state made history again in 2013 when it became one of the first to legalize online casinos. Despite its small size, Delaware is a significant player in the gaming industry.
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Why Is Delaware Nicknamed “The First State”?
Delaware is called “The First State” because it was the first of the thirteen original colonies to ratify the U.S. Constitution on December 7, 1787. This gave Delaware the informal right to vote first in Congress and to hold a prominent position during presidential inaugurations.
Interestingly, the nickname was not officially adopted until May 23, 2002, following a request from a first-grade teacher at a primary school in Mount Pleasant. “The First State” is now officially recognized in Title 29, Section 318 of the Delaware Code.
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Delaware Has No State Sales Tax
Delaware is one of the few U.S. states with no statewide sales tax. This means that food, clothing, electronics, and other goods are not subject to sales tax, making them potentially cheaper than in other states. As a result, Delaware is a popular shopping destination, especially for visitors heading to its outlet malls.
Instead of a sales tax, Delaware relies on other revenue sources, such as income tax, franchise tax, and other taxes. The absence of sales tax helps attract new retail businesses.
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How Delaware Got Its Name
Delaware was named after Thomas West, the 3rd Baron De La Warr, who was the first governor of the British colony of Virginia. His title also lent its name to the Delaware River, Delaware Bay, and the region’s indigenous people.
Over time, “De La Warr” evolved into “Delaware”, which became the name of the entire region. Interestingly, Baron De La Warr never personally visited the land that bears his name.
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Delaware’s Highest Point Is Easy to Overlook
The highest point in Delaware is Ebright Azimuth, standing at just 448.0 ft. Located within a suburban area near the Pennsylvania border, it is marked only by a small sign, making it easy to miss.
The surrounding landscape is quite flat, offering no significant views. Delaware is the second flattest U.S. state after Florida.
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Delaware Was the First State to Fly the American Flag
According to some sources, Delaware was the first U.S. state to raise the Stars and Stripes flag after Congress officially adopted its design on June 14, 1777. Delaware patriots displayed the flag as a sign of unity, symbolizing the emerging identity of the new nation and support for independence.
There are multiple accounts of the first flag-raising, but Delaware’s claim is one of the most well-documented. Today, Delaware and other states celebrate Flag Day every June 14.
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Delaware Is the Corporate Capital of America
Delaware has some of the most business-friendly laws in the United States. More than half of all publicly traded U.S. companies and over 60% of Fortune 500 firms are incorporated in Delaware.
The state’s legal system prioritizes corporate law and provides quick, expert resolution of business disputes. Low business fees and straightforward registration processes add to Delaware’s appeal.
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Delaware Had No National Park Service Sites Until 2013
Until 2013, Delaware was the last U.S. state without a national park. That changed when the First State National Monument was established, later upgraded to First State National Historical Park.
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Record Temperatures in the State of Delaware
The highest recorded temperature in the state of Delaware, 109.9°F, was measured on July 21, 1930, in the town of Millsboro.
The lowest recorded temperature to date, -17.0°F, was measured by meteorologists on January 17, 1893, also in Millsboro.
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The Small Town of Delmar Is Too Big for One State
The small town of Delmar is said to be too big for just one state. The town was founded in 1859 around an important railroad junction and today sits directly on the border between Delaware and Maryland.
The town’s name, Delmar, comes from the names of the two states: (Del)aware and (Mar)yland. In 2023, it had a population of 2,216. Local high school sports teams include students from both states, creating a unique bond among young athletes.
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Seaford Was Home to the World’s First Nylon Factory
In 1939, the company DuPont opened a nylon factory in the town of Seaford, making it the first in the world to produce nylon commercially. Initially, nylon was promoted primarily as a material for toothbrush bristles and women’s stockings, but during World War II, it became essential for making parachutes.
The factory had a highly positive impact on the local economy and earned Seaford the nickname “The Nylon Capital of the World.”
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Delaware Was Once Part of Pennsylvania
Delaware was once under Pennsylvania’s jurisdiction and was known as “The Three Lower Counties on the Delaware.” William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, acquired this territory from the Duke of York to expand his colony.
Representatives from these lower counties traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for legislative matters until 1704, when they established their own assembly. Despite the political separation, Delaware and Pennsylvania continued to maintain close cultural and economic ties.
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Delaware Is the Second Smallest State in the USA
Delaware covers an area of just 2,490 mi², making it the second smallest U.S. state, with only Rhode Island being smaller. Despite its small size, Delaware features a diverse landscape that includes beaches, wetlands, rolling farmland, and urban centers.
The entire state can be driven from its northern border near the suburbs of Philadelphia to its southern border with Maryland in about two hours.
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The New Castle Courthouse Served as the State Capitol
After Delaware separated from Pennsylvania, the Old Courthouse in New Castle, built in 1732, served as the state’s first capitol. The building hosted legislative sessions while also functioning as a judicial center for the entire region.
The courthouse’s dome marks the center of a circle with a radius of 12 mi, making it a key reference point in colonial boundary disputes.
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Zwaanendael Was Delaware’s First European Settlement
Near what is now the coastal town of Lewes, the Dutch founded the Zwaanendael Colony in 1631, establishing the first European settlement in Delaware. The name Zwaanendael means “Valley of Swans” in Old Dutch.
The first settlers focused on farming and whaling. However, conflicts with local Native American tribes led to the colony’s destruction within a year. Today, the former settlement is commemorated by the Zwaanendael Museum in Lewes, which showcases exhibits on Delaware’s Dutch heritage.
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Delaware Has One of the Oldest Courts in the USA
The Delaware Court of Chancery was established in 1792 and remains one of the oldest continuously operating courts in the USA. The court specializes in corporate and equity law, a rarity among state-level courts.
Over the years, the Delaware Court of Chancery has built an extensive body of legal precedents that continue to shape corporate governance nationwide. Its efficiency and predictability in rulings are among the key reasons why so many companies choose to incorporate in Delaware.
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A Restaurant in Rehoboth Beach Invented Spiral Pizza
In 1960, Dominick Pulieri opened his first Grotto Pizza restaurant in Rehoboth Beach, where he set himself apart by applying pizza sauce in a spiral pattern. This unique look quickly gained popularity, attracting customers from across the region.
Over the decades, the Grotto Pizza chain has expanded to more than 20 locations in Delaware and other states along the East Coast.
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