1. In 1638, the first Swedish colony in North America was established on the present-day site of Wilmington, Delaware. The colony was named New Sweden and its leaders aimed to expand trade and establish a profitable fur industry.

2. On May 7, 1777, the British captured Wilmington during the American Revolutionary War. The city was an important port and supply depot for the Continental Army, and its capture was a significant blow to the American war effort.

3. Delaware was the first state to ratify the United States Constitution on May 7, 1787. Known as "The First State," Delaware played an important role in the formation of the new nation and its commitment to democratic principles.

4. On May 7, 1849, Delaware Governor William Tharp signed a law establishing the Delaware Agricultural College, which eventually became the University of Delaware. The school was created to promote agricultural science and mechanical arts education in the state.

5. The Wilmington Race Riot of 1898 occurred on May 7, 1898. The riot was sparked by a controversy over a city election in which African American voters were denied their right to vote. The riot resulted in the deaths of several African Americans and marked a dark period in Delaware's history of racial discrimination.