1. In 1776, Caesar Rodney rode 70 miles through a thunderstorm to break a tie and cast a deciding vote in favor of American independence, making Delaware the first state to join the newly declared United States of America.
2. On July 20, 1904, the Delaware State Board of Health was established, which later evolved into the Delaware Division of Public Health.
3. In 1949, the Delaware Memorial Bridge opened to traffic, connecting Delaware and New Jersey over the Delaware River.
4. On July 20, 1969, Delawareans joined the rest of the world in watching as Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the moon.
5. In 1981, Delaware's first female governor, Ruth Ann Minner, was sworn into office on July 20, becoming the first woman in the state's history to hold the position.