DE, USA
Caesar Rodney's Midnight Ride to Philadelphia
June 27, 1776
Delaware delegate Caesar Rodney rode approximately fifty miles overnight from Dover through a thunderstorm to reach Philadelphia in time for the July 2 independence vote. His arrival broke the Delaware delegation's deadlock — McKean favored independence, Read opposed it — making Delaware's vote unanimous. Without Rodney, the July 2 vote might not have produced the clear majority the Continental Congress needed.
People Involved
Delaware statesman who rode fifty miles overnight through a thunderstorm to cast the deciding vote for independence on July 2, 1776. Served as President of Delaware 1778–1781, organizing the state's war effort from Dover despite worsening facial cancer that would kill him in 1784.
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.
Delaware lawyer who cast one of the two pro-independence Delaware votes on July 2, 1776. Summoned Rodney to break the deadlock. Later served as President of Delaware and Chief Justice of Pennsylvania.