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Period: to
Delaware Events
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September 5, 1774
Caesar Rodney, Thomas McKean, and George Read represent Delaware at the First Continental Congress. -
April 19, 1775
Revolutionary War begins -
June 15, 1776
Delaware Assembly declares independence from England. This is the origin of the holiday called Separation Day. -
July 1-2, 1776
Caesar Rodney makes heroic overnight ride from Dover to Philadelphia to cast the vote that put Delaware on the side of independence. -
Some time before the Declaration of Independence
Three Lower Counties had broken away form Pennsylvania. They adopted a constitution and became the Delaware State, the first of all the colonies to call themselves a state. -
July 4, 1776
Declaration of Independence adopted -
Some time in 1777
Dover replaces New Castle as state Capital -
February 12, 1777
John McKinly become President of Delaware -
Late August - Early September
British and American armies are in northern New Castle County. -
September 3, 1777
Battle of Cooch's Bridge near Newark, only engagement for the war in Delaware. -
September 12, 1777
British capture Delaware state documents, funds, and President John McKinly after winning the Battle of Brandywine, then occupy Wilmington until mid October. -
September 22, 1777
John McKinly replaced by Declaration signer Thomas McKean. -
July 10, 1778
France declares war against Britain and makes an alliance with the American revolutionary forces. -
February 1, 1779
Delaware Assembly ratifies Articles of Confederation. -
September 3, 1783
Treaty of Paris is signed by the victorious United States and the defeated Great Britain.
