1. On October 16, 1914, the Wilmington and Northern Railroad officially opened a new electrified line connecting Wilmington to Reading, Pennsylvania, providing greater connection between the two regions and boosting commerce and travel.

2. In 1959, on October 16, the artist Andrew Wyeth's painting "Christina's World" was exhibited at the Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington, becoming one of the museum's most popular attractions and a beloved piece of American art.

3. October 16, 1978, saw the inauguration of Democratic Governor Pierre S. du Pont IV, who went on to serve two terms as governor and was widely praised for his efforts to overhaul the state's educational and economic policies.

4. On this date in 1987, the state's first major hurricane in two decades, Hurricane Floyd, struck the Delaware coast, causing significant damage to the beaches and communities in the area.

5. In 1991, October 16 marked the opening of Dover Downs, a major horse racing facility and casino complex in Dover that has since become a major source of revenue and entertainment for the state.