Here are 5 interesting facts about May 4 in Delaware history:

1. In 1776, Caesar Rodney, a Delaware delegate to the Continental Congress, made a dramatic ride from Dover to Philadelphia to cast his vote in favor of independence from Great Britain. He arrived just in time to break a tie in favor of independence, making Delaware the first state to vote in favor of the Declaration of Independence.

2. On May 4, 1863, Confederate General JEB Stuart led a raid into Delaware during the Civil War, hoping to disrupt Union communications and morale. The raiders reached as far north as Newark before retreating in the face of Union cavalry.

3. May 4, 1961, marked the opening of the Delaware Memorial Bridge, a twin-span suspension bridge that spans the Delaware River, connecting Delaware and New Jersey. The bridge is a major artery for Interstate 95 and has been recognized as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

4. In 2003, Dover International Speedway hosted the first-ever NASCAR Cup Series race held on May 4th. Driver Joe Nemechek claimed victory in the MBNA Armed Forces Family 400, which honored members of the U.S. military.

5. On May 4, 2018, the Delaware State Senate approved a law that legalized sports betting in the state. Delaware was only the second state, after Nevada, to allow full-scale sports betting after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal ban on the practice.