1. Delaware was the first state to ratify the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. This is why it is also known as the "First State." The declaration was signed two days before, on July 2.

2. In 1817, a gentleman in Dover named John Clark found a copy of the Declaration of Independence while cleaning out the State House. It is believed to be one of the original copies printed in Philadelphia in the summer of 1776.

3. On July 4, 1827, the cornerstone was laid for a new Capitol building in Dover, which still stands today. It was constructed from local granite and boasts a large gold dome.

4. During the Civil War, the city of Wilmington held a large celebration on July 4, 1864, to raise funds for medical supplies and clothing for Union soldiers. The event included a parade, fireworks, and speeches by prominent politicians.

5. In 1953, the city of Newark held a unique July 4 celebration, in which a Ford Thunderbird was buried in a time capsule to be opened on the American Bicentennial in 1976. The car, which was brand new at the time, was donated by a local dealership.