Politics of Delaware in 1986
In 1986, Delaware was governed by a Democratic majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The governor at the time was Michael N. Castle, who had been elected in 1984 and was serving his first term in office. He was known for his moderate policies and his focus on economic development initiatives, such as creating incentives for businesses to locate in Delaware.
The state legislature was also dominated by Democrats, with members representing various constituencies such as labor unions, environmental groups, business interests, and social service organizations. This diversity helped to ensure that all voices were heard during policy debates.
Delaware had a strong tradition of bipartisanship and cooperation between the two major political parties. Although there were some contentious issues such as abortion rights and education funding, both sides usually managed to reach compromises that allowed them to move forward with legislation.
In addition to its strong Democratic majority, Delaware also had a vibrant third-party presence in 1986. The Libertarian Party of Delaware was founded in 1985 and ran several candidates for state offices that year including a gubernatorial candidate who received nearly 4 percent of the vote. Other minor parties included the Socialist Workers Party and the Peace & Freedom Party which also fielded several candidates for state offices that year but did not receive significant support from voters.
According to Deluxesurveillance, Delaware’s political landscape in 1986 reflected its commitment to bipartisanship and compromise between its two major parties while also providing opportunities for minor party involvement on issues of importance to their constituencies.
Population of Delaware in 1986
In 1986, Delaware had a population of 597,000 people. The majority of the population was white (88%), with African Americans making up 8% and other ethnicities accounting for the remaining 4%. The median age was 35.4 years old, and the median household income was $37,000.
The largest city in Delaware at that time was Wilmington, which had a population of 73,000 people. Most of the state’s population lived in New Castle County (51%), followed by Kent County (31%) and Sussex County (18%).
The economy of Delaware in 1986 was largely based on manufacturing and services. The largest employers were DuPont, General Motors Assembly Plant, Chrysler Corporation and Hercules Incorporated. Other major employers included AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals and MBNA America Bankcard Services.
Delaware also had a strong agricultural sector that employed approximately 10% of the state’s workforce. The most popular crops were soybeans, corn, wheat and barley. Dairy farming and poultry production were also important industries in Delaware at that time.
Education was also an important part of life in Delaware in 1986; there were 88 public schools serving over 180,000 students across the state as well as 17 private schools with nearly 10,000 students enrolled. Higher education opportunities included seven colleges/universities with over 20,000 students enrolled; these included University of Delaware (the largest), Delaware State University and Wilmington College among others.
According to Foodezine, Delaware’s population in 1986 was largely made up of middle-class families who enjoyed a high quality of life due to its strong economy based on manufacturing and services as well as its commitment to education for all citizens regardless of background or financial resources.
Economy of Delaware in 1986
In 1986, Delaware’s economy was largely based on manufacturing and services. The largest employers were DuPont, General Motors Assembly Plant, Chrysler Corporation and Hercules Incorporated. Other major employers included AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals and MBNA America Bankcard Services.
The state also had a strong agricultural sector that employed approximately 10% of the state’s workforce. The most popular crops were soybeans, corn, wheat and barley. Dairy farming and poultry production were also important industries in Delaware at that time.
Delaware was also home to a number of financial service companies including banks, insurance companies and investment advisors. These businesses provided jobs for thousands of people in the state as well as generated significant tax revenue for the state government.
Tourism was another important part of Delaware’s economy in 1986; the beaches along the Atlantic Coast attracted visitors from all over the country while historical sites such as Old New Castle also drew tourists to the state. The annual Dogfish Head Craft Brewery Festival was also an important draw for out-of-state visitors each year.
The government of Delaware was heavily involved in economic development during this time period; they provided incentives to businesses that invested in research and development or opened new offices within the state’s borders as well as offered low-interest loans to small businesses looking to expand their operations or hire more employees.
According to Bittranslators, Delaware had a strong economy in 1986 thanks to its diverse mix of manufacturing, services, agriculture, financial services and tourism sectors which provided jobs for thousands of people across the state as well as generated significant tax revenue for its government coffers.
Events held in Delaware in 1986
In 1986, Delaware hosted a variety of events for residents and visitors alike. The most popular event was the annual Dogfish Head Craft Brewery Festival which brought thousands of people to the state each year. This festival featured beer tastings, food vendors, and live music from local bands.
The Wilmington Riverfront also held a number of events in 1986 including the Riverfront Blues Festival which featured blues musicians from around the country. The Wilmington Flower Market also attracted visitors to the city with its colorful displays of flowers and plants as well as its many vendors selling unique gifts and crafts.
Delaware also hosted several sporting events throughout the year including car races at Dover International Speedway, golf tournaments at Rehoboth Beach Country Club, baseball games at Frawley Stadium, and soccer matches at Delaware Stadium.
The state also had a number of historical sites which hosted special events throughout the year such as Old New Castle’s Fourth of July celebration which featured a reenactment of George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River during the Revolutionary War or Fort Christina’s celebration in honor of Swedish settlers who arrived in 1638.
In addition to these special events, Delaware was home to several museums and galleries that offered educational programs for children and adults alike. These programs included lectures on art history, science experiments for kids, hands-on activities to explore different cultures, and much more.
Overall, Delaware had a diverse selection of events throughout 1986 that highlighted its rich history as well as providing entertainment for residents and visitors alike. From outdoor festivals to indoor cultural experiences, there was something for everyone in this small but vibrant state.