1. In 1783, Delaware became the first state to ratify the Treaty of Paris, which ended the American Revolution.
2. On February 21, 1841, the Delaware General Assembly approved a law prohibiting public auctions of enslaved people. This was a significant step towards abolishing slavery in the state.
3. In 1879, the state's first public library opened in Wilmington on February 21. This library was established with the aid of funds provided by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.
4. On February 21, 1921, the DuPont Company announced plans to construct a new General Motors assembly plant on the outskirts of Wilmington. This plant was the second-largest employer in Delaware for decades, providing jobs to thousands of workers.
5. In 1997, Wilmington resident Anne Kiguta received the prestigious Jefferson Award for her volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity. Kiguta had helped to build over 40 homes for low-income families in Delaware.