47 Interesting Facts About Delaware

Last updated on September 17th, 2022

43. Delaware’s State Song (designated the official state song in 1925), “Our Delaware” contains four verses. The first three verses honor the three counties of the state while the fourth praises the state.^[21]

44. About 1785 American inventor Oliver Evans invented and promoted the process of continuous process milling. He built the first automated flour mill on Red-Clay Creek near Newport, DE.^[32]

45. Georgetown was originally planned around a one-mile wide circle that still serves as the center of town to this day — it’s this that gives Georgetown the distinct circular layout. The town also stands out for the diversity of its population: minorities make up just under 50% of total residents.

46. Elsmere measures exactly one square mile in size — pretty neat, right? It’s interesting to note that the town still has room for recreational parks in its small footprint (Veterans Park, Fairgrounds Park, Vilone Park, and a lot more).

47. Ryan Phillippe, who plays a key character in the classic horror film “I Know What You Did Last Summer”, hails from New Castle. Those who haven’t watched the film will recognize Ryan from other characters he’s played; Louis Roulet in “The Lincoln Lawyer”, and Bob Lee Swagger on the TV drama “Shooter” among others.

About the flag of Delaware

The history of the flag of Delaware can be traced back to January 17, 1777, when Cole Dev Schrock won the contest to design the flag. However, it was officially adopted on July 24, 1913. The flag is characterized by a colonial blue background and a buff-colored diamond at the center.

Inside the diamond is the coat of arms, and December 7, 1787, is engraved below it. The date commemorates the day when Delaware ratified the federal Constitution for the first time in the United States, making it the first state to join the union. For this reason, Delaware gets a top priority during days of national importance, like presidential inaugurations.

Did you know?

Many people still confuse the buff hue for yellow. The Textile Color Card Association selects colonial blue and buff. Initially, the colors were designated by the Bureau of Standards, now the NIST- National Institute of Standards & Technology.

The governor of Delaware uses the same official flag of the state. However, his flag has a golden edge and a pole for mounting it on a blue state bird statue.

The colors

The two dominant colors on the flag of Delaware resonate with General George Washington’s uniform. The Continental Army troops were responsible for security during the American Revolution era. The soldiers had blue coats with buff trims. Between 1775 and 1783, troops from Delaware also carried these colors as their banners during the Revolutionary War. However, this flag was not officiated until 1913.

Elements of the coat of arms

Adopted on January 17, 1777, the coat of arms shows that Delaware is an agricultural state. The symbols on the coat of arms generally showcase the culture and lifestyle of the state in the late 18th century. They include an ox stepping on grass and white, green, and blue horizontal stripes. Above these parallel lines is an ear of corn and a sheaf of wheat.

‘Liberty and Independence’ is the motto beneath the shield, a phrase endorsed in 1847. It hangs from a banner at the feet of a farmer and a soldier. A soldier stands on the right side while the farmer is on the left side; both support the shield while a sailing ship is printed over it. These symbols are also present in the Delaware seal.

Symbolism

It is unclear what the diamond originally symbolized in the flag of Delaware. It is assumed that it was just a unique design. But it may insinuate an earlier nickname accorded to Delaware – Diamond State. It also alludes to the fact that Delaware is relatively smaller yet with a more significant economic value thanks to its strategic location on the Atlantic and outstanding leadership. However, the meanings of other elements are obvious.

• The farmer plays a crucial role in farming as it is one of the backbones of Delaware’s economy.
• The soldier or militiaman shows that the state acknowledges the effort that the army puts into maintaining peace and liberty.
• The ox represents the significance of cattle ranching in the state.
• Corn or maize is a symbol of agricultural produce.
• Ship embodies the flourishing coastal businesses, the shipbuilding industry, and trade.
• Water reflects the Delaware river, a vital part of transportation and trading.
• Wheat is a sign of agricultural vitality.

Delaware – quick facts and state symbols