1. On September 23, 1777, the British army under General William Howe captured Philadelphia, which then served as the capital of the United States. This marked a major turning point in the Revolutionary War and led to the winter encampment at Valley Forge.

2. Delaware officially ratified the United States Constitution on September 23, 1787, becoming the first state in the nation to do so. This historic moment earned Delaware the nickname “The First State.”

3. On September 23, 1841, the Brandywine Creek in Wilmington experienced a major flood caused by a hurricane, resulting in the deaths of several individuals and the destruction of numerous homes and businesses.

4. In 1905, on September 23, the Delaware Agricultural College (now known as the University of Delaware) opened its doors to students for the first time. The college began with just three buildings and 58 students.

5. September 23, 1962, marked the groundbreaking ceremony for the Delaware Memorial Bridge, which spans the Delaware River and connects Delaware to New Jersey. The bridge was completed in 1966 and quickly became a symbol of Delaware’s growth and development.