remaining missing quarters.
Delaware
was the first state to vote in favor of the United
States Constitution and joined the union on December 7, 1787. Therefore,
it was the first state quarter introduced on January 1, 1999. Governor
Thomas R. Carper opened the quarter design competition to everyone in
the state. The Delaware Arts Council evaluated over 300 designs. An Art
and Drama Coach at Caesar Rodney High School drew the quarter design chosen.
Governor Caper submitted the final design to the Secretary
of the Treasury.
The words "The First State" are printed on the right side of the quarter showing the great pride Delaware has in being the nation's first state. Another event Delaware is very proud of is a historic horseback ride with Caesar Rodney as the rider. Caesar Rodney is pictured rushing on his horse to reach Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by July 2, 1776.
The words "The First State" are printed on the right side of the quarter showing the great pride Delaware has in being the nation's first state. Another event Delaware is very proud of is a historic horseback ride with Caesar Rodney as the rider. Caesar Rodney is pictured rushing on his horse to reach Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by July 2, 1776.
The Second Continental Congress met in the spring and summer of 1776 to
decide whether or not to declare its independence from British rule. The
congress served as the colonies' government. It was made up of delegates
from the thirteen colonies. Their job was to represent their colonies
and make decisions by voting. Caesar Rodney was one of the three delegates
representing the Delaware colonists. He was told by one of the other delegates
on July 2, 1776 that the congress would vote on the colonies' independence
from British rule. He had to be in Philadelphia to break the tie on Delaware's
vote for the colonies to become an independent nation.
On July 1, 1776, he rode 80 miles to Philadelphia while suffering from asthma and cancer. There were terrible thunderstorms and a summer heat wave during his ride. On July 2, 1776, he reached Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Independence Hall was the meeting place for the Second Continental Congress. Caesar Rodney made it in time to vote in favor of Delaware signing the Declaration of Independence. This ride made Caesar Rodney a hero in Delaware.
Caesar Rodney was an American Patriot. A patriot is someone who loves his country and will support it with complete loyalty. Later, he was a general, judge and speaker of Delaware's Assembly. The assembly met to make and carry out Delaware's laws. His name appears on the left hand side of the Delaware quarter so that people would never forget him or his accomplishments.
On July 1, 1776, he rode 80 miles to Philadelphia while suffering from asthma and cancer. There were terrible thunderstorms and a summer heat wave during his ride. On July 2, 1776, he reached Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Independence Hall was the meeting place for the Second Continental Congress. Caesar Rodney made it in time to vote in favor of Delaware signing the Declaration of Independence. This ride made Caesar Rodney a hero in Delaware.
Caesar Rodney was an American Patriot. A patriot is someone who loves his country and will support it with complete loyalty. Later, he was a general, judge and speaker of Delaware's Assembly. The assembly met to make and carry out Delaware's laws. His name appears on the left hand side of the Delaware quarter so that people would never forget him or his accomplishments.