H I S T O R Y

The area was originally inhabited by the Lenni Lenape people when the European explorers first came. In 1609 Henry Hudson found the Delaware River and three years later Samuel Argall entered Delaware Bay, claimed it for England and named it for the Governor of Virginia, Lord de la War.

The Dutch were the first European settlers and in 1631 built their colony near present day Lewes. However the Indians destroyed it.

Next, the Swedes built Fort Christina in 1638. Presently it is Wilmington.

The Dutch came back and built another settlement near what's now New Castle in 1651, then seized the Swedish colony in 1655.

However, the British came in 1664 and took the whole thing and the area was made part of Pennsylvania.

In 1704, Delaware was granted its own Assembly and in 1776 it became the State of Delaware and adopted its own Constitution. It was the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution in 1787, and hence its proud nickname as "The First State", a fact commemorated by the new quarters, issued in 1999.

Caesar Rodney was one of Delaware's earliest heroes. He was President before Delaware became the first of the thirteen united states. Well known for his famous ride to cast his vote in the Continental Congress, even while suffering from cancer, his valor and integrity are commemorated in being selected overwhelmingly to adorn Delaware's commemorative quarter.

Even though Delaware remained part of the federal union, during the war between the states it continued to permit slavery until it was outlawed by the federal government.

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