Facts About
Delaware's Government
There are several facts about Delaware's Government.
Those facts are broken down by different categories.
Facts about Delaware's Government:
StatehoodDelaware became a state on December 7, 1787.
State MottoThe state motto is "Liberty and Independence".
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State NicknamesThe official nickname for Delaware was by request from Mrs. Anabelle O'malley's Mt. Pleasant Elementary School first grade class.
On May 23, 2002 Delaware's nickname became
"The First State". This represents the one of the facts about Delaware becoming the first, of the 13 original states on December 7, 1787, to ratify the United States Constitution.
"The Diamond State"Thomas Jefferson described Delaware as a "jewel" because of it's strategic location on the Eastern Seaboard.
"Blue Hen State"The Delaware Revolutionary War Soldiers used Blue Hen Cocks for cockfights. Because of this the state of Delaware wasalso nickname "Blue Hen State".
"Small Wonder"The nickname "Small Wonder" was given to reflect the beauty, size, and contributions of Delaware.
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State CapitalOne of the big facts about Delaware is in 1704, New Castle became the
capital of of the state (The "Three Lower Counties").
The assemblies of Delaware and Pennsylvania separated through legislation under Pennsylvania Deputy Governor John Evans. The legislation for Delaware still needed the signature from Governor John Evans.
New Castle County, Kent County, and Sussex County had four representatives that all met and passed the first two laws of the colonies.
The first law confirmed the previous laws enacted by the assemblies of colonies from Delaware and Pennsylvania.
The second law changed the county's representatives numbers to six instead of four.
The "Three Lower Counties" remained with Pennsylvania until 1776. During 1776, Delaware and Pennsylvania cultural, economic, and political differences caused a permanentseparation.
In 1777, the new capital was changed and moved to Dover, which is also an important fact about Delaware.
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State GovernmentIn 1776, Delaware became an official state after two months of signing the Declaration of Independence.
The first constitution for Delaware was adopted in 1792, then in 1897, the present constitution was adopted.
The form of government that Delaware has is the cabinet form.
Delaware's lawmaking body, the General Assembly, is comprised of a State House of Representatives (total of 41 members) whose members are elected for two-year terms, and a State Senate (total of 21 members) whose members are elected for four-year terms.
The State Supreme Court is made up of a chief justice and four associate justices. The Governor appoints all the members to the supreme court, and the Senate confirms them for a term of 12 years.
State Colors
The state colors are colonial blue and buff (gold like color).
State Flag
The state flag became official on July 24, 1913, where the background is colonial blue which surrounds a buff color diamond.
Within the buff diamond is the coat of arms of Delaware. The date "December 7, 1777" are below the diamond and representswhen Delaware became the first state.
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State SealThe state seal became official on January 17, 1777 and has Delaware's coat of arms within it.
Inscribed on the seal is the dates 1704, 1776, and 1787 with "Great Seal of the State of Delaware."
The following contents are facts about Delaware's Seal:
The Ship: Represent the ship building industry of New Castle County and the extensive coastal commerce of Delaware.
The Corn: This represents the agricultural participation to Delaware's economy and was adopted from the seal of Kent County.
The Wheat Sheaf: Represents Delaware's agricultural vitality and actually was adopted from seal of Sussex County.
The Water: The water, which is above the Ox, represents the
main stay of the transportation and state's commerce, the Delaware River, which is also one of the important facts about Delaware.
The Ox: The ox represents how animals are important to the state economy.
The Militiaman: The militiaman and his musket displays the crucial role of citizen soldiers to making up the liberties of America.
The Farmer: The farmer, with his hoe in hand, shows the central role of farming to Delaware.
The Motto: The motto was actually from the Order of Cincinnati, it was derived and approved in 1847.
The Dates: 1704, is the year when Delaware's General assembly was established.
1776, is the year when we declared our independence from Great Britain.
1787, is the year when Delaware became the first state to ratify the United States Constitution, earning it the nickname "The First State".
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State Song"Our Delaware" is the title of the state song.
The first three verses are honoring each county in Delaware. These three verses where written by George B. Hynson.
The fourth verse is in praise to Delaware and it's loyal citizens. This fourth verse was written by Donn Devine.
The music was composed by Will M. S. Brown.
You can hear the music and view the words online.Top of Facts about Delaware's Government.
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