separation day celebration

In 1651, it began as a Dutch fort. A city was set up at the site in 1655. Yesterday, Delaware celebrated Separation Day in the historic town of New Castle. It's a holiday that officially began in 1976, when the nation celebrated its centennial. Delaware has continued the celebration at New Castle, which was its continential capitol. (The capitol was moved further inland after the kidnapping of the governor of the state.) Delaware was one of the first colonies to declare its independence from England, on June 15th, 1776.

The town celebrated its 350th birthday in October, last year, and has a rich history as the oldest surviving town in the Delaware Valley.