CHAPTER 433
STATE OF DELAWARE
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, this land of peace and plenty which we enjoy today and in which each individual is endowed with a type of freedom that has been heralded throughout the world is our precious heritage; and
WHEREAS, all of these benefits are possible because of the Republic which was established for us by our forefathers after years of careful planning to make sure that there would be liberty and justice for all; and
WHEREAS, following the adoption of the Federal Constitution in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787, each of the thirteen colonies were called upon as individual units to express their desires regarding this document; and
WHEREAS, a special convention of ten delegates from each of Delaware's three counties met in the Old State House, Dover, on December 7, 1787, and unanimously ratified the aforesaid constitution; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of the importance of this occasion, which later brought us the title of "First State", the General Assembly of the State of Delaware by resolution on November 29, 1933, authorized and directed the Governor to issue a proclamation annually calling attention of its citizens to this historic occasion; now
THEREFORE, I. J. CALEB BOGGS, Governor of the State of Delaware, do hereby designate and proclaim Monday, December 7, 1959, as
DELAWARE DAY
It is my express hope that our schools, both public and private; our churches, civic and fraternal organizations will take note of this 172nd anniversary of the ratification and make every effort to impress upon our citizens the significance it bears.
By this act on the part of early Delaware citizens, the initial steps were taken to create a government whose first responsibility would be its citizens, thus assuring that the age of tyranny in America had passed.
On this day, I urge and direct that our national and state flags be flown from all public buildings and that our citizens generally join in a display of the colors.
It is also fitting that this same day marks the eighteenth anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941, after which the First State's citizens were again called upon to preserve and protect that form of government which continues to stand as a symbol of hope and enlightenment for people throughout the world.
Attention may likewise be given to the fact that this year is the 350th anniversary of the discovery of the Delaware Bay by Henry Hudson, the real beginning of Delaware's history.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, J. Caleb Boggs, Governor of the State of Delaware, have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the said State to be hereunto affixed at Dover this eighteenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and fifty-nine and of the Independence of the United States of America, the one hundred and eighty-fourth.
(GREAT SEAL)
J. CALEB BOGGS, Governor
GEORGE J. SCHULZ, Secretary of State