1. On October 17, 1777, the Battle of Saratoga ended with a decisive American victory, which played a crucial role in boosting morale for the Continental Army and securing support from France in the Revolutionary War.

2. In 1828, the first steam railway in Delaware was completed between the seaside towns of Lewes and Rehoboth Beach, ushering in a new era of transportation and tourism for the state.

3. On October 17, 1851, the Delaware State Fair officially opened for the first time. It has since become an annual tradition, attracting thousands of visitors each year.

4. In 1910, the DuPont Company acquired a small chemical company called Haskell Laboratory, which would eventually form the foundation of their research and development division and pave the way for the company's success in innovative materials and technologies.

5. On October 17, 1988, the Delaware Memorial Bridge celebrated its 30th anniversary. The bridge, which spans the Delaware River and connects Delaware and New Jersey, is one of the busiest transportation routes on the East Coast, carrying millions of vehicles each year.