Delaware finally broke free from Pennsylvania during the American Revolution. Drawing inspiration from America's battle to be independent from England, the people of Delaware sought to be liberated from the Penn family and Pennsylvania (via Delaware Online). Representatives from the Lower Counties of Pennsylvania gathered in New Castle on June 15, 1776, and voted to create "The Delaware State," making themselves separate from King George III, England, and Pennsylvania. This day in Delaware history is remembered as "Separation Day" and "Delaware's Birthday."

Nearly two weeks later, at the meeting of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, the representatives of the 13 colonies had their vote for independence. On July 4, 1776, two of three members of the Delaware delegation championed America's decision to end English rule. One delegate, Caesar Rodney, rode all night from Dover to Philadelphia to break the tie between the two other Delaware representatives (via History). Delaware made history again in 1787 when it became the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution (via Delaware General Assembly).

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