Delaware Revolution and statehood During the Revolution, Delaware was invaded by a British army en route to Philadelphia and was constantly menaced by British ships. The event best remembered, however, is the spectacular ride (July 1-2, 1776) of Caesar Rodney from his home to Philadelphia to break a tie in the Delaware delegation and cast Delaware's vote for independence. The proudest boast of Delaware is that its speedy ratification of the Constitution, on Dec. 7, 1787, gave Delaware its right to be called "the first state." As national political parties arose, Delaware became a Federalist state, adhering to the party of Alexander Hamilton and John Adams well into the 1820s. In the next period Delaware became as fervently Whig as it had been Federalist. Bright Star