**Dover, Delaware: Capital of the First State and Crucible of American Independence**
PEOPLE
Caesar Rodney
Delaware Delegate to Continental Congress, President of Delaware, Brigadier General
George Read
Delaware Delegate to Continental Congress, Signer of Constitution, U.S. Senator
Thomas McKean
Delaware Delegate to Continental Congress, Signer of Declaration, Chief Justice of Pennsylvania
Colonel John Haslet
Continental Army Officer, Commander of Delaware Regiment
KEY EVENTS
Caesar Rodney's Midnight Ride to Philadelphia
Jun 1776
Delaware Ratifies the U.S. Constitution — First State
Dec 1787
Delaware Adopts State Constitution
Sep 1776
Delaware Regiment ("Delaware Blues") Organized
Jan 1776
Delaware Sends Delegates to Constitutional Convention
May 1787
Caesar Rodney Elected President of Delaware
Mar 1778
STORIES
MODERN VOICE
Why Delaware Moved First
When people ask why Delaware ratified the Constitution first — unanimously, in five days — the answer isn't that Delaware was the most enthusiastic about the new government. The answer is that Delawar...
HISTORICAL VOICE
Fifty Miles Through a Thunderstorm
Caesar Rodney left Dover on the evening of June 27, 1776, summoned by Thomas McKean: the independence vote was coming, Delaware's delegation was split — McKean yes, Read no — and without Rodney, Delaw...