1. In 1777, the British Army under General William Howe landed at Elk River in Maryland, which is just a few miles from Delaware's northern border. This marked the beginning of the Philadelphia campaign during the American Revolutionary War.

2. On July 26, 1832, a destructive hurricane struck Delaware and caused significant damage to homes, crops, and infrastructure across the state. It was one of the most devastating storms to hit Delaware in the 19th century.

3. In 1870, a new state constitution was adopted in Delaware that provided for a number of significant reforms, including the establishment of a public school system and the prohibition of slavery and involuntary servitude.

4. July 26, 1948, saw the establishment of the University of Delaware's College of Engineering, which has since become one of the most highly respected engineering programs in the United States.

5. In 1971, President Richard Nixon signed legislation that designated the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area along the border between New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The area includes over 70,000 acres of protected parkland, forests, rivers, and waterfalls, and it attracts thousands of visitors every year.