This informative post will be published on Saturday in place of my regular one. You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

There are two ducks in front of a duck, two ducks behind a duck, and a duck in the middle. How many ducks are there?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

Under the newly written U.S. Constitution, Delaware becomes the “first state” to ratify it on December 7, 1787).

Here are a few interesting facts about Delaware:

Capital City: Dover
Largest City: Wilmington (population of 70,898 from 2020 Census)
State Nicknames: First State, Diamond State
State Flower: Peach Blossom
State Bird: Blue Hen (also the mascot for the University of Delaware)
State Motto: Liberty and Independence

The state’s name is attributed to exploer Samuel Argall, who names the bay and river after Virginia Governor, Thomas West, Lord De La Warr.

In terms of land area, Delaware is second smallest American state. Only Rhode Island has fewer square miles. Three counties make up the state: New Castle, Kent, and Sussex.

In the 1600s, Scandinavian settlers arrive, and they bring with them plans for a log cabin. New Sweden is recognized as the first permanent colony on Delaware soil (founded in 1638).

The current state flag is adopted in 1913. It includes the official state seal enclosed in a buff diamond on a colonial blue background.

There is no general sales tax in the state, which attracts out-of-state shoppers. The state is joined by Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, and Alaska as the other states without such a tax. Delaware’s friendly legal environment offers a preferred location for businesses to incorporate under its state laws.

The Delaware River forms a natural boundary between the states of Delaware and New Jersey. During the American Revolutionary War, General George Washington and his troops cross the river in December, 1776, to surprise Hessian troops near Trenton.

Thomas Jefferson is given credit for one of Delaware’s nicknames: the Diamond State. He describes Delaware as a jewel among the American states because of its strategic location along the Atlantic coastline.