The Brief In honor of America 250, FOX 29 explores the Delaware Valley’s historical landmarks and researches significant events connected with the founding of the United States. Our very first piece focuses on how Delaware came to be The First State. What we know:This time, we sought out the experts to find out how the State of Delaware came to be known as The First State. We interviewed Dick Carter, the Chairman of the Delaware Heritage Commission, and Rebecca Fay, the Director of Education for the Delaware Historical Society. On December 7, 1787 Delaware became the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution and continues to carry that legacy present day.