NEWARK, Del. (Sept. 4, 2025) — A new civic-education initiative will spotlight one of Delaware’s most defining moments when the Caesar Rodney Institute (CRI) and the Institute on the Constitution present Caesar Rodney’s Midnight Ride as part of a Constitution Day program later this month.
The Sept. 17 event at the DuPont Country Club in Wilmington will feature a live theatrical retelling of Rodney’s 80-mile overnight journey to Philadelphia, where he cast Delaware’s decisive vote for independence in 1776. A second program is scheduled for Oct. 23 at the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel in Rehoboth Beach.
Following the performance, radio host Rick Jensen will moderate a panel with CRI policy experts, who will address some of Delaware’s most pressing issues, including energy, education, healthcare and the economy.
The program also marks the launch of Caesar Rodney 250, CRI’s ongoing civic series commemorating America’s Semiquincentennial in 2026. Organizers said the goal is to connect the nation’s founding ideals to the challenges facing Delawareans today.
“Individual liberty thrives when citizens are informed,” said Dr. Michelle Parsons, CRI’s board chair. “By connecting our founding history to today’s decisions, this series encourages Delawareans to reflect, engage, and take part in shaping our democratic future.”
For many, Rodney’s ride is more than a dramatic episode in history—it embodies a spirit of personal sacrifice and conviction that resonates with center-right values today. His determination to secure Delaware’s voice for independence underscores the principle that individual courage and commitment to liberty can tip the balance in shaping a nation. Supporters of the series say the retelling is timely, reminding citizens of the enduring need for limited government, personal responsibility and vigilance in protecting freedoms.
By revisiting Rodney’s example, CRI organizers argue Delawareans can draw strength from the nation’s founding to confront modern debates. Just as Rodney’s decisive action changed the course of history, informed citizens today, they say, must stand ready to ensure that liberty and self-governance remain at the heart of American democracy.
Tickets and details are available at www.caesarrodney.org/events.htm.
