Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
July 1st and 2nd, 1776. The two most critical days for American Independence. Four Delawareans are at the center of the great debate. Thomas McKean, the shrewd political operative who is John Adams’ key ally in the Middle Atlantic states. John Dickinson, a plantation owner from near Dover who is a delegate from Pennsylvania and is a longtime advocate for American liberty, but has grave doubts as to whether the colonists can succeed. George Read, a respected lawyer from New Castle who shares Dickinson’s fears. And Caesar Rodney, perhaps the most prominent Delaware statesman of the day. A conservative aristocrat who believes that the time has come, but who is back in Delaware working to prevent a Loyalist uprising.
Over the course of these two days, these four men will be at the heart of the debate that will set the course for American Independence.
Presented by the Delaware Heritage Commission.
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July 1st and 2nd, 1776. The two most critical days for American Independence. Four Delawareans are at the center of the great debate. Thomas McKean, the shrewd political operative who is John Adams’ key ally in the Middle Atlantic states. John Dickinson, a plantation owner from near Dover who is a delegate from Pennsylvania and is a longtime advocate for American liberty, but has grave doubts as to whether the colonists can succeed. George Read, a respected lawyer from New Castle who shares Dickinson’s fears. And Caesar Rodney, perhaps the most prominent Delaware statesman of the day. A conservative aristocrat who believes that the time has come, but who is back in Delaware working to prevent a Loyalist uprising.
Over the course of these two days, these four men will be at the heart of the debate that will set the course for American Independence.
Presented by the Delaware Heritage Commission.
FOLLOW:
Website - archives.delaware.gov
Subscribe - youtube.com/channel/UC7_WXMeC-vpYdJmxBIJR7uQ
Instagram - instagram.com/DEPublicArchives
Facebook - facebook.com/DelawarePublicArchives
Twitter - twitter.com/DEPublicArchive
