CHAPTER 512
STATE OF DELAWARE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, commemoration should be made of the 246th anniversary of the birth of Benjamin Franklin, January 17, 1706, in Boston; and
WHEREAS, 200 years ago Franklin flew his famous kite with its key to electricity; also promoted the first chartered fire insurance company in the colonies; and
WHEREAS, in 1776 Dr. Franklin signed the Declaration of Independence, which he had helped to draft; he left that fall for France where his efforts as American envoy secured the Treaty of Alliance of February 6, 1778; he later signed the Treaty of Peace with England and the Constitution of the United States; and
WHEREAS, Franklin was a printer, publisher, author, editor, educator, advertising man, inventor, athlete, scientist, philosopher, diplomat, philanthropist, statesman, musician, cartoonist, humorist and, primarily, a Patriot; founder of the State Militia--now the National Guard of Pennsylvania; also later a founder of the U. S. Navy; founder of the circulating library system on this continent and the University of Pennsylvania, first anti-slavery society, also first thrift campaign in the colonies, as well as daylight saving; in 1751 promoted this country's first hospital; "snatched the lightning from the skies"; also inaugurated Philadelphia's police, fire, street-cleaning and street-lighting departments; and was first Postmaster General; and
WHEREAS, celebration of Franklin's Birthday, though without a holiday, has been urged by Congresses of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution; also by many other groups;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Elbert N. Carvel, Governor of the State of Delaware, hereby call upon the citizens of the State appropriately to pay tribute to the memory of Benjamin Franklin, one of the founders of our Nation, and one of the greatest men of all time. Let Franklin's birthday, January 17, be patriotically celebrated--especially in the schools.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, Elbert N. Carvel, 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 Second day of January, in the Year of Our Lord, One Thousand Nine Hundred and Fifty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the One Hundred and Seventy-sixth.
(GREAT SEAL)
By the Governor:
ELBERT N. CARVEL
HARRIS B. McDOWELL, Jr., Secretary of State.