1. On July 18, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was read in New Castle, Delaware, just two days after it was adopted by the Continental Congress. This made Delaware the first state to officially recognize the document.

2. In 1907, the DuPont Company was founded on July 18. The chemical company eventually became one of the largest employers in the state of Delaware.

3. On July 18, 1985, the first of Chrysler's booming minivans rolled off the assembly line at their plant in Newark, Delaware. The plant became one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the country.

4. In 2017, July 18 marked the opening of the Wilmington Brew Works in Wilmington, Delaware. The brewery and taproom quickly became a popular destination for craft beer enthusiasts in the state.

5. On July 18, 1863, the Battle of Fort Wagner took place during the American Civil War. Delaware troops fought alongside the Union Army in this battle, which was depicted in the 1989 film "Glory."