This Day in History: December 7, 1787

Delaware, The First State; The Diamond State; Blue Hen State; Small Wonder

State Motto: "Liberty and Independence"

A Tidbit of Trivia...

Delaware was the home of the first American beauty pageant. The first bathing beauty pageant in which contestants competed for the title of “Miss United States”, a predecessor of the Miss America pageant, took place in Rehoboth Beach in 1880 as a way to attract business during its summer festival. Inventor Thomas Edison was one of the three judges of the beauty contest. It was not until the 20^th century when beauty pageants began to become a regular occurrence.

How did Delaware get its name?

The name "Delaware" originates from the Delaware River and Bay, named in honor of Sir Thomas West (Lord De La Warr), governor of the English colony at Jamestown, Virginia in 1610.

The First State was designated as Delaware's official nickname in 2002 following a request by Mrs. Anabelle O'Malley's first grade class at Mt. Pleasant Elementary School. The Diamond State, according to legend, was so named by Thomas Jefferson who described Delaware as a "jewel" among states due to its strategic location on the Eastern Seaboard. The nickname Blue Hen State was given to Delaware after the fighting Blue Hen Cocks that were carried with the Delaware Revolutionary War Soldiers for entertainment during Cock fights. Small Wonder is reflective of Delaware due to its size, the contributions it has made to our country, and the breathtaking vistas provided by the Delaware Byways.

http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/sc/web/series/701/aerial-america/136452/maryland-and-delaware

Chateau Country

Aerial America: Maryland & Delaware

Visit the birthplace of the Star Spangled Banner and explore the sites where Harriet Tubman, Babe Ruth and the DuPont family made their marks on American history. Maryland and Delaware are two small states of great historical significance. Highlighted by the great bays of the eastern seaboard: Chesapeake and Delaware, both states are defined by the legacies of their colonial pasts. This aerial journey reveals their giant stature in the history of America.

Delaware was the 1st of the thirteen original colonies to ratify the United States Constitution on December 7, 1787. Prior to that date, it was the only colony to be claimed by Sweden, Holland and England. There is some even earlier evidence that Egyptian explorers found their way to the state. Today, Delaware has become a farming and industrial state. At one time the center of this country's flour industry, it is today the leading producer of chemicals in the United States and, because of its corporate laws, more corporations are headquartered in Delaware than in any other state. The capital of Delaware is Dover.

[The thirteen colonies were: Delaware, Pennsylvania, NewJersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts Bay, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island and Providence Plantations]

Delaware is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast
in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States.

http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/Delaware/flag_delaware.html

Delaware State Flag

http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/Delaware/seal_delaware.html

Delaware State Seal

Delaware State Bird: Blue Hen Chicken

The blue hen chicken was designated the official state bird of Delaware in 1939. The history of this symbol stems from the Revolutionary war when Delaware soldiers were compared to fighting cocks.

Delaware State Butterfly: Tiger Swallowtail

The brilliant tiger swallowtail butterfly was designated the official state butterfly of Delaware in 1999. The tiger swallowtail butterfly is indigenous to Delaware and can be seen in deciduous woods, along streams, rivers, wooded swamps, and in towns and cities throughout the state.

*****

Bugs & insects are often perceived as obnoxious and bothersome.

Not so for the Ladybug...
something special about the Spirit of the Ladybug.
*****

http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/Delaware/insect_ladybug.html

Delaware State Bug: Lady Bug

The lady bug was adopted as the official state bug of Delaware in 1974 thanks to an intensive effort made by Mrs. Mollie Brown-Rust and her 2nd grade students of the Lulu M. Ross Elementary School in Milford, Delaware. Ohio, New York, Massachusetts, Tennessee, and New Hampshire also designate the ladybug as an official state symbol.

Delaware designated the grey fox as the official state wildlife animal in 2010. The fourth grade students at Joseph M. McVey Elementary School suggested that the grey fox be designated as Delaware's official state wildlife animal (part of teacher Paul Sedacca's lessons on persuasive writing). Indigenous to Delaware, it is estimated that this unique animal has existed between 7 and 10 million years. The grey fox is the only member of the canid family (canines) which is able to climb trees (the grey fox can also run up to 28 miles per hour!).

Delaware State Tree: American Holly

Delaware designated American holly (Ilex opaca Aiton) as the official state tree in 1939. Also called Christmas holly or evergreen holly, American holly is regarded as one of Delaware's most important forest trees.

http://www.theflowerexpert.com/content/aboutflowers/stateflowers/delaware-state-flowers

Delaware State Flower: Peach Blossom

Delaware designated the peach blossom as the official state flower symbol in 1895 because of Delaware's reputation as "The Peach State" (at that time Delaware orchards contained more than 800,000 peach trees).

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/620003/Ursa-Major

Delaware State Star: Delaware Diamond

The state star of Delaware is The Delaware Diamond. A star of the 12th magnitude that can be seen with binoculars or a telescope, the Delaware Diamond is located in the constellation of Ursa Major (Great Bear or Big Dipper). Utah is the only other state that has designated an official astrological symbol.