Delaware State Nickname: The First State
Delaware is known as The First State, the official state nickname adopted in 2002. Learn what First State means, why Delaware uses it, and what other nicknames the state has had.
The First State
Official state nickname of Delaware
Meaning of 'The First State'
The Delaware state nickname refers to ratifying the Constitution. Thirty delegates met in Dover at a place called Battell's Tavern on December 3, 1787. They voted on December 7, 1787. Every single delegate voted yes. The vote was 30 to 0 with no opposition.
Pennsylvania came in second place just five days later on December 12 — a state whose Keystone State history reflects its central role in both the Revolution and the constitutional founding. New Jersey became the third state on December 18. Nine states needed to ratify before the Constitution became law. New Hampshire reached that goal on June 21, 1788, making the Constitution official.
Delaware sent five delegates to write the Constitution in Philadelphia earlier that year. George Read, Gunning Bedford Jr., John Dickinson, Richard Bassett, and Jacob Broom all signed the document in September 1787. Delaware got first position in national events like presidential inaugurations because of this action. December 7 is now celebrated as Delaware Day, a state holiday since 1933, and this date appears on the Delaware state flag.
Other Nicknames
Diamond State
Thomas Jefferson gave Delaware this nickname when he called it a jewel among states. He meant Delaware had great value because of where it sits on the East Coast. Delaware Bay provided access to shipping routes and trade. The state flag shows a buff-colored diamond shape holding the state coat of arms. This diamond design reminds people of Jefferson's description, and its palette matches Delaware's official state colors. Delaware's small size did not stop it from playing a big role in early American commerce and government.
Blue Hen State
This nickname came from the Revolutionary War. Captain Jonathan Caldwell from Kent County brought fighting chickens with him to battle. These game roosters came from a famous Blue Hen and were known for winning fights. Soldiers entertained themselves by holding cockfights between battles. Delaware troops fought so bravely that other soldiers compared them to these tough fighting birds. The regiments from Kent County became known as Blue Hen's Chickens. Delaware adopted the Delaware Blue Hen as the official state bird in 1939.
Small Wonder
Delaware earned this newer nickname because of its size and beauty. The state covers only about 2,500 square miles, making it the second smallest state in America. Despite being tiny, Delaware made huge contributions to the country. More than half of all publicly traded companies in the United States are incorporated in Delaware because of business-friendly laws. The nickname also points to Delaware's natural beauty, including beaches, forests, and farmland. Small Wonder became a way to promote tourism and state pride.
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