Thoughts on the 1776 Delaware Declaration of Rights: Justice Gary Traynor and Ron Collins

In-Person or Online

Lewes Public Library’s Distinguished Lecturer Ron Collins will join Delaware Supreme Court Justice Gary Traynor in conversation to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Delaware’s Declaration of Rights.

Adopted on September 11, 1776, the Delaware Declaration of Rights established the foundational civil liberties and governmental structures for the newly independent state. It included 23 protections, anticipating many principles later enshrined in the federal Constitution and the Bill of Rights. After declaring independence from both Great Britain and Pennsylvania on June 15, 1776, the Delaware Assembly convened a special constitutional convention in New Castle. Under the leadership of George Read and others, the convention first adopted the Declaration of Rights and then the state constitution on September 21, 1776.

The key provisions in Delaware’s Declaration included clauses on popular sovereignty, religious freedom, due process, criminal justice, restrictions on military power, and press freedom – more than a decade before the federal Bill of Rights. Unlike Virginia’s 1776 Declaration, Delaware's explicitly limited fundamental rights to “freemen” and tied civil privileges to Christian belief. Collins and Justice Traynor will reflect on the historical and legal significance of this early document and its lasting influence on Delaware’s laws and civic ideals.

The event is dedicated to the memory of the late Justice Randy J. Holland (1947-2022), the youngest person to serve on the Delaware Supreme Court and the longest serving justice in the history of Delaware.

Each individual attending in-person must register to reserve a seat. Do not list two people on one registration.

This program is part of Lewes 250, a commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, honoring our town’s rich past and bright future. Lewes 250 brings neighbors, visitors, and local organizations together in celebration of the “First Town in the First State.”

NOTE: this session is available to attend in-person or through Zoom. You MUST REGISTER and indicate which you prefer.

If you need assistance with registration or getting your Zoom invitation, please email the library.

Basic written instructions for using Zoom may be found here and a brief video tutorial may be found here. Closed captioning is available for all our sessions. Information on enabling closed captioning in Zoom may be found here.