After the trio of states that start with C, the alphabet shifts to D. Delaware stands alone here as the only state in this group, and it makes the most of that position. Small in size but central in history, Delaware carries a legacy that stretches from colonial battles to modern boardrooms.
Known proudly as the “First State” for ratifying the Constitution before anyone else, it built an identity that mixes old towns, sandy beaches, and a financial system that attracts corporations from across the world. Delaware may not cover much land, but its story reaches far wider than its borders.
History
Delaware joined the Union in 1787 as the very first state to ratify the Constitution, which secured its nickname as the “First State.”
Its story, though, goes back far earlier. Dutch traders arrived in the 1600s, soon followed by Swedes and then the English, each leaving their own imprint on the region.
That constant tug-of-war shaped Delaware into a crossroads of cultures long before independence was declared.
- The Dutch established Fort Zwaanendael in 1631, marking one of the earliest European settlements in the area.
- Control shifted quickly – the Swedes founded New Sweden in 1638, and the English took over by 1664.
- Delaware was a key battleground during the Revolutionary War, with the Battle of Cooch’s Bridge in 1777 remembered as the only Revolutionary battle fought in the state.
- On December 7, 1787, Delaware became the first state to ratify the US Constitution.
- During the Civil War, Delaware remained in the Union but held onto slavery until the 13th Amendment ended it nationwide in 1865.
Geography
Delaware is small enough to drive across in under two hours, but its location gives it an outsized role. It sits on the Delmarva Peninsula, bordered by Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, with the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay shaping its eastern edge.
The land is flat, the rivers are wide, and the coastline draws both vacationers and commerce.
Agriculture thrives on the fertile soil, with poultry farms and fields of corn and soybeans dominating the landscape. At the same time, the state’s beaches, Rehoboth, Bethany, and Dewey, pull in visitors every summer, adding tourism to the economy.
- The Delaware River and Delaware Bay form the state’s gateway to trade and transport.
- Ebright Azimuth, the highest point in Delaware, rises only 447 feet above sea level.
- Though only 28 miles of Atlantic coastline, the total shoreline expands to more than 350 miles with bays and inlets.
- Cape Henlopen marks the meeting point of Delaware Bay and the Atlantic, a landmark for both history and recreation.
Surprising Facts
- More corporations are registered in Delaware than there are residents. Its laws make it a magnet for business giants, including most of the Fortune 500.
- The state bird is the Blue Hen Chicken, tied to Revolutionary War soldiers from Delaware who were nicknamed after their fighting gamecocks.
- No sales tax. People from Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey often cross the border for big shopping trips.
- Delaware was the first state to outlaw smoking in indoor public places, doing so in 2002.
- Rehoboth Beach is home to Dogfish Head Brewery, which helped spark the craft beer movement.
- The official state fossil is a belemnite, an ancient squid-like creature that once swam in seas covering the region.
Final Thoughts
Delaware might be the second smallest state on the map, but it has left big fingerprints on American history and law. From being the first to sign the Constitution to becoming the corporate capital of the country, it has always found a way to stand out.
The next step in the series is the states that start with F.