Here are five interesting facts about March 8 in Delaware history:

1. On March 8, 1782, the last public whipping in Delaware occurred in Old New Castle. A man was convicted of theft and sentenced to receive 39 lashes on his bare back.

2. The Delaware State Board of Health was established on March 8, 1909. Its purpose was to promote health and prevent disease in the state.

3. The Maryland and Delaware Railroad was incorporated on March 8, 1853. The railroad operated a line that ran from Delaware City, Delaware to Crisfield, Maryland, carrying passengers and freight.

4. On March 8, 1946, a fire broke out at the DuPont Hotel in Wilmington. The hotel, which had been a fixture in downtown Wilmington for over a century, was completely destroyed.

5. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area was established on March 8, 1978. The 70,000-acre park straddles the border between Pennsylvania and New Jersey and features hiking trails, waterfalls, and stunning views of the Delaware River.