Qing Bao, the giant panda at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, reports on Delaware, the very first state. Watch the cartoon, then read the facts below and try the pop quiz.
Qing Bao's State Report: Delaware2:43 · Captions on screen · Sound on 🔊
At a glance
Quick facts about Delaware
Capital
Dover
Biggest city
Wilmington
Nickname
The First State
Became a state
Dec. 7, 1787 (1st state)
Size
Second-smallest state
Counties
3, the fewest of any state
State bird
Blue Hen chicken
State flower
Peach blossom
State tree
American holly
State bug
Ladybug
Marine animal
Horseshoe crab
Motto
Liberty and Independence
The full report
Everything Qing Bao learned
Where is it?
Where is Delaware?
Delaware is on the East Coast, next to Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It's the second-smallest state. Only Rhode Island is smaller!
Long and skinny
The capital is Dover. The biggest city is Wilmington. Delaware is about 96 miles long, but only 9 to 35 miles wide!
A curvy border
Look at the top! Part of Delaware's border is a curve. It's drawn as a circle 12 miles around the town of New Castle. It's called the Twelve-Mile Circle!
Only three counties
Delaware has just 3 counties: New Castle, Kent and Sussex. That's fewer than any other state!
History
The first Delawareans
The Lenape and Nanticoke peoples have lived here for thousands of years. The Lenape are also known as the Delaware people.
New Sweden
In 1638, settlers from Sweden sailed in and built Fort Christina, where Wilmington is today. They're said to have built some of America's very first log cabins!
Caesar Rodney's ride
In July 1776, Caesar Rodney rode all night through a thunderstorm to Philadelphia to cast Delaware's vote for independence!
The First State
On December 7, 1787, Delaware became the very first state to approve the U.S. Constitution. That's why its nickname is The First State!
A famous mill
In 1802, a gunpowder mill on the Brandywine River started a company called DuPont. Its scientists later invented nylon, used in jackets, backpacks and toothbrushes!
State Symbols
State bird
The state bird is... Another chicken! The Blue Hen. Soldiers from Delaware in the Revolutionary War were nicknamed the Blue Hen's Chickens!
Flower and tree
The state flower is the peach blossom and the state tree is the American holly.
Bug and sea creature
The state bug is the ladybug, chosen with help from Delaware schoolkids. The state marine animal is the horseshoe crab. Horseshoe crabs have been around since before the dinosaurs!
Motto and dessert
The state motto is "Liberty and Independence." And the official state dessert is peach pie. Yum!
Fun Facts
Flat as a pancake (almost)
Delaware's highest point, Ebright Azimuth, is only about 448 feet above sea level. That's even lower than Rhode Island's highest point. On average, Delaware is the lowest state in the country!
The first quarter
In 1999, Delaware got the very first of the 50 State Quarters. It shows Caesar Rodney on his famous ride!
Pop quiz
Test yourself
Pick an answer, then open the box to check.
Why is Delaware called The First State?
First to approve the Constitution
First to see the sunrise
First to eat pizza
Show the answer
A: First to approve the Constitution. It was the first state to approve the Constitution.
What is Delaware's state bird?
Bald eagle
Blue Hen chicken
Penguin
Show the answer
B: Blue Hen chicken. The Blue Hen. Cluck cluck!
What is the capital of Delaware?
Wilmington
Dover
Philadelphia
Show the answer
B: Dover. Dover is the capital. Wilmington is the biggest city.
For teachers and families
You're welcome to show this cartoon in class or share it with students. It's free under CC BY 4.0; just credit “Qing Bao Fan Club, qingbaofans.com.” The captions are on screen, so it works with the sound off too.