Hello Delaware students, it’s Governor John Carney. Thank you for taking a moment to learn about Delaware. Below you’ll find more information about Delaware’s history and symbols.
I’ve been in public service for almost 30 years. I now serve as the Governor of Delaware, and this has been my favorite job. I get to work on a lot of different issues, but my main goal is to make sure that all Delawareans—including you—have their voices heard. One thing I have really been focused on is making sure all Delaware children can read by third grade. Because before third grade, you learn to read, and after third grade, you read to learn.
Another important part of my job is working with Delaware’s State Senate and House of Representatives to write laws. Believe it or not, state government affects your life every day. And it’s made up of a lot of different people working together.
A lot of government work is done by state agencies. These are offices that focus on one specific topic. For example, the Delaware Department of Transportation helps keep our roads in good shape. And the Delaware Department of Education makes sure that students like you are learning in school.
The most important thing to know about the government is that it works best when we all participate and use it as a tool to make positive change.
I’m so glad that you are interested in how state government works, and I hope you will continue to learn more about Delaware!
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Printable Delaware Facts & History Infographic
Delaware Facts & History
From the Delaware Historical Society
Learn more about Delaware’s history.
State Capital:
Dover
Delaware declared its independence from Great Britain on June 15, 1776. It is known as the “First State” because on December 7, 1787 it became the first to ratify the U.S. Constitution. The State’s Capital is Dover. Delaware’s three counties are New Castle, Kent and Sussex.
Population:
1,018,386
Delaware’s population is 1,018,396
Delaware’s Size:
96 Miles Long and 39 miles at its widest
Delaware is 96 miles long and 39 miles at its widest. That’s about 1,690 football fields long and 680 football fields wide!
How did Delaware get its name?
In 1610 explorer Samuel Argall named the Delaware River and Bay for the governor of Virginia, Thomas West, Lord De La Warr. The state of Delaware takes its name from the river and bay.
Delaware Symbols
From the Government Information Center
Learn the origins and adoption of state symbols and facts.
State Butterfly:
Tiger Swallowtail
Adopted on June 10, 1999, the Tiger Swallowtail ( Pterourus glaucus ) was declared the State’s official butterfly. The tiger swallowtail, a large, yellow, black-striped butterfly, is indigenous to Delaware and can be seen in deciduous woods, along streams, rivers, and wooded swamps, and in towns and cities throughout Delaware.
State Tree:
American Holly
Adopted May 1, 1939, the American Holly ( Ilex opaca Aiton ) is regarded as one of Delaware’s most important forest trees. Often called Christmas holly or evergreen holly, the tree has dark, thorny-leaved foliage and red berries. In Delaware, the tree can reach a maximum of 60 feet in height and a trunk diameter of 20 inches.
State Fruit:
Strawberry
Adopted May 13, 2010, the strawberry is an important product of Delaware’s agricultural industry. Delaware strawberries are bred for taste, not to be big or last a long time on a store shelf.
State Bird:
Blue Hen
Adopted on April 14, 1939, the Blue Hen chicken had long been used as a motif in numerous political campaigns and in many publications. During the Revolutionary War, the men of Captain Jonathan Caldwell’s company, recruited in Kent County, took with them game chickens that were said to be of the brood of a famous Blue Hen and were noted for their fighting ability. When not fighting the enemy, the officers and men amused themselves by pitting their Blue Hen chickens in cockfights.
