This Day in Delaware History: February 17

This Day in Delaware History:

1801 Delaware’s Congressman James A. Bayard, Sr. played an important role in assuring Thomas Jefferson became President rather than Aaron Burr when the deadlock between the two was decided in the House of Representatives.

1864 Commandant of Fort Delaware Gen. Albin F. Schoepf prepared to exchange Confederate prisoners. In his report he indicated there were 82 civilian or political prisoners, 1,260 officers, 778 non-commissioned officers and 5,642 privates at the fort.

1942 Delawareans Major Hugh Sharp and Lt. Ed Edwards were honored in President Franklin Roosevelt’s office in Washington for a daring sea rescue with the Civil Air Patrol off Rehoboth.

1950 Though racial integration in public schools was less than a decade away, plans were made to construct a comprehensive high school in New Castle County for Negro boys and girls.

Today’s facts were compiled by historian Roger Martin and the Delaware Public Archives.