9 Moments Everyone Born In Delaware Will Always Remember
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Kim Magaraci
Author
We hear it all the time: “Dela-where?” or “What state is Delaware in?” People seem to not realize we exist here on the East Coast – but that’s okay, we’ll keep our state a great secret. Those who’ve lived here our whole lives, though, know that there’s always something exciting going on in Delaware, and over the last 60+ years, Delaware’s history has been full of exciting, tragic, and historic events. How many of these moments in Delaware history do you remember?
The Indian River Inlet Bridge as we know it today finally opened after a long construction period and some setbacks in early 2012. Today, it's one of the most notable landmarks in the state. There's no prettier sight that the bridge lit up in blue at night. Did you know about its haunted history, though? Read here to find out more
Having Delaware's own Joe Flacco drafted in the first round was a thrill. He was the first Delaware football player to be honored in that way.
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Delaware elected their first female governor in 2000. Ruth Ann Minner was often described as a centrally minded politician, with conservative fiscal views but a strong favor towards progressive social policies.
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Steven Brian Pennell was Delaware's first modern serial killer. During a string of kidnappings and murders in 1987 and 1988, he took the lives of four women and was convicted after his arrest in 1988. He was suspected of taking the life of a fifth woman, as well, but there was not enough evidence to draw that conclusion. Blue carpet fibers found on the victims were linked to carpet in his Ford van. He was executed March 14, 1992 by lethal injection, the first person executed in Delaware since 1946. Read more about the terror Delawareans faced during his spree here.
Dewey Beach has long been considered a separate town from Rehoboth Beach, but it was only actually incorporated in 1981. Many of us remember the year that Dewey became its own little town.
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Do you remember this strange news story? In 1976, the McDonald's on Main Street in Newark. blew up. 23 people were injured, but somehow there were no deaths. An entire wall, most of a second wall, and most of the roof were destroyed in the blast, which occurred due to a gas leak in the kitchen.
The Wilmington Riots broke out in April, 1968 after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. For months, the National Guard occupied the city as racial tensions were at an all-time high. There were no deaths, but the unrest rocked the city.
The Cape May-Lewes Ferry is such an important part of Sussex County life that it's hard to imagine it NOT existing. In 1964, this Delaware "dreamliner" came to life, and now we have our choice of charming beach towns to visit.
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The sudden, surprising Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962 snuck up on Delawareans and completely destroyed our state. Hotels along the beach, boardwalks, roads and dunes were completely destroyed, homes were flooded, and lives were lost. It took years for the beaches to fully recover.
FINALLY, New Castle County residents had a way to get to New Jersey. Hmm... okay... maybe this one isn't quite as memorable as they'd hoped. Do you remember when the first span was opened? Our bridge was one of the biggest in the country at the time.
Do you remember seeing any of this on the news? What was the most memorable story from your childhood? Tell us in the comments below!
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