DE, USA
Delaware Adopts State Constitution
September 20, 1776
DateSeptember 20, 1776
Precisionday
Delaware's constitutional convention adopted the first state constitution establishing Delaware as an independent state with Dover as its capital. The document created a bicameral legislature, a President elected by the legislature, and an independent judiciary. George Read was a principal drafter.
People Involved
George Read(Delaware Delegate to Continental Congress)
Delaware lawyer who initially voted against independence but signed the Declaration when finalized. Principal drafter of Delaware's 1776 state constitution and leading delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention. Present at Dover's ratification convention.