1. On August 27, 1776, Delaware declared independence from Great Britain. The state's delegation had previously voted against the Declaration of Independence on July 2, but ultimately voted in favor on July 4.

2. In 1813, the Battle of Cooch's Bridge took place in Newark, Delaware. It was the only significant military engagement in the state during the War of 1812.

3. Delaware native and civil rights leader Louis L. Redding became the first African American Delawarean to pass the state bar exam on August 27, 1929. He later played a key role in desegregating schools in Delaware and argued landmark civil rights cases before the Supreme Court.

4. August 27, 1972 marked the opening of the new Delaware Memorial Bridge. The four-lane suspension bridge spans the Delaware River and connects Delaware and New Jersey.

5. On this day in 2011, Hurricane Irene made landfall in Delaware, causing significant damage and flooding in many coastal communities. The storm ultimately caused billions of dollars in damage along the east coast of the United States.