Before its coastline was explored by Europeans in the 16th century, Delaware was inhabited by several groups of Native Americans, including the Lenape in the north and Nanticoke in the south.

It was initially colonized by Dutch traders at Zwaanendael, near the present town of Lewes, in 1631.

On December 7, 1787, Delaware became the first state to ratify the Constitution of the United States, and has been known as "The First State" ever since.

By virtue of its corporate laws, Delaware is a de facto onshore corporate haven. As a result, over 50% of all NYSE-listed business and 60% of the Fortune 500 are incorporated in Delaware.

Delaware was the country's leading producer of peaches for part of the nineteenth century, shipping 6 million baskets to market at its peak in 1875. In recognition of this agricultural heritage, Delaware designated peach pie as the official state dessert in 2009.

Joe Biden served as the U.S. Senator from Delaware for 36 years before winning the presidency in 2020.

During the American Revolutionary War, British and American forces clashed outside Newark at the Battle of Cooch's Bridge. Tradition holds that the Battle of Cooch's Bridge was the first instance of the Stars and Stripes being flown in battle.

The ladybug was adopted as the official state bug of Delaware on April 25, 1974, after an intensive lobbying effort on the insect's behalf by Mrs. Mollie Brown-Rust and her 2nd grade class at Lulu M. Ross Elementary School in Milford, Delaware.

The sheaf of wheat, ear of corn, and the ox on the state seal symbolize the farming activities of early Delaware.

It is bordered by three states: Maryland to the south and west, Pennsylvania to the north, and New Jersey to the east.