Overview
Delaware, known as the “First State,” played a significant role in the founding and development of the United States. It was the first state to ratify the Constitution in 1787.
Timeline of Events
- 1638: Swedish settlers establish the first European settlement in Delaware.
- 1664: Delaware comes under British rule.
- 1776: Delaware declares independence from Great Britain.
- 1787: Delaware becomes the first state to ratify the Constitution.
- 1845: The Delaware and Hudson Canal Company is completed, connecting the state to the Great Lakes.
- 1861: Delaware remains a slave state and does not secede from the Union during the Civil War.
- 1895: The DuPont Company establishes a gunpowder factory in Wilmington.
- 1913: The 16th Amendment, granting Congress the power to levy an income tax, is passed with the support of Delaware’s vote.
- 1954: DuPont becomes the world’s largest chemical company.
- 1995: Delaware ratifies the 27th Amendment, prohibiting congressional pay raises from taking effect until after the next election.
Important Legislation
- Delaware General Corporation Law (1899): Created a favorable legal environment for corporations, making Delaware a popular incorporation state.
- Torrens Act (1917): Established a system for registering land titles, making property ownership more secure and transferable.
- Unclaimed Property Act (1949): Protects the interests of owners whose property has been abandoned or lost.
Important Court Cases
- "McCulloch v Maryland" (1819): Established the principle of federal supremacy and the implied powers of Congress.
- Gibbons v. Ogden (1824): Upheld the federal government’s exclusive power to regulate interstate commerce.
- Brown v. Board of Education (1954): Desegregated public schools.
Major Industry
- Chemical industry: DuPont is the largest employer in Delaware and has a major impact on the state’s economy.
Impact on the Country
- Delaware’s ratification of the Constitution was critical to its adoption and the establishment of the United States.
- The Delaware General Corporation Law attracted numerous businesses to incorporate in the state, fostering economic growth.
- Delaware’s legal framework has influenced corporate law and property rights nationwide.
- The chemical industry in Delaware has played a key role in developing new technologies and products.