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Legislative Features
Statehood
December 7th, 1787
State Capital
Dover
State Colors
Colonial blue and buff
State Motto
Liberty and Independance
State Nicknames
Delaware is called "The First State" in recognition of being the first of the 13 states to ratify the
United States Constitution. This occurred on Dec. 7, 1787, at a session in Dover. President Thomas
Jefferson referred to Delaware as being like a diamond, because it has great worth even though it was
small, and this led to the additional nickname of "The Diamond State."
State Song
The official state song consist of a poem "Our Delaware" containing three verses in honor of each county of the State, written by George B. Hynson; a fourth verse in praise of the State and pledging the loyalties of its citizens, written by Donn Devine; and a musical score composed specifically for the state song by Will M. S. Brown". Click the following link to read the lyrics to the state song.
State Government
Delaware became a state in 1776, just two months after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The capital was moved from New Castle to Dover in 1777. Delaware's first constitution was adopted in 1797. The current constitution was adopted in 1897. It has been modernized with many new amendments since that time. Today, Delaware has a cabinet form of government.
The General Assembly, Delaware's lawmaking body, is comprised of a State House of Representatives, whose 41 members are elected for two-year terms, and a State Senate, whose 21 members are elected for four-year terms. Half of the Senate seats are contested in each general election.
The State Supreme Court consists of a chief justice and four associate justices. All members are appointed by the governor, with confirmation by the Senate, for a term of 12 years.
Delaware State Flag
The State Flag of Delaware was adopted July 24, 1913. In accordance with the design authorized at the
time the State Flag has a background of colonial blue, surrounding a diamond of buff color in which is
placed the coat of arms of the State of Delaware.
The colors and bearing of the coat of arms are defined in chapter 62, volumn 26, Laws of Delaware.
Below the diamond are the words, "December 7, 1787", indicating the day on which Delaware was the
first State to ratify the Federal Constitution. Because of this action Delaware became the first in
the Union and is therefore accorded the first position in such national events as presidential
inaugurations.
State Seal
The state seal was first adopted on January 17, 1777, and contains the coat of arms. It also bears the inscription around it "Great Seal of the State of Delaware" and the dates 1793, 1847, and 1907. Descriptions of the contents of the seal are as follows:
- The Wheat Sheaf -- was adapted from the Sussex County seal and signifies the agricultural vitality of Delaware.
- The Ship -- is a symbol of New Castle County's ship building industry and Delaware's extensive coastal commerce.
- The Corn -- is taken from the Kent County seal and also symbolizes the agricultural basis of Delaware's economy.
- The Farmer -- with the hoe represents the central role of farming to the state.
- The Militiaman -- with his musket recognizes the crucial role of the citizen-soldier to the maintenance of American liberties.
- The Ox -- represents the importance of animal husbandry to the state economy.
- The Water -- (above the Ox) stands for the Delaware River, the main stay of the state's commerce and transportation.
- The Motto -- was derived from the Order of Cincinnati, and approved in 1847.
- The Dates -- mark major changes to the state seal. 1793: the farmer and militiaman were omitted. 1847: the two human figures were reinstated, and the motto adopted. 1907: a modernized version of the 1777 seal, with the words "State of Delaware" added.
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