Georgetown Hundred in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Return Day
This event draws thousands as winning and losing candidates joining in celebration on the Thursday following each general election. Poor traveling conditions and interest in the outcome of political contests may have resulted in an extended stay when all elections were held here. Creation of voting districts in 1811 required the meeting of a Board of Canvass on Thursdays to determine returns for the county. Proclamation of results continues to highlight this festive occasion. Well-established by the mid-19th century, Return Day is recognized as the only event of its kind in the nation.
Erected by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number SC-85.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1811.
Location. 38° 41.397′ N, 75° 23.136′ W. Marker is in Georgetown, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is in Georgetown Hundred. It is at the intersection of The Circle (U.S. 9) and Bedford and Market Streets, on the left on The Circle. Touch for map. Marker is
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American Mid-Atlantic, on the Delmarva Peninsula, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Sussex County Vietnam Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); W.W.I (within shouting distance of this marker); Sussex County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Sussex County World War II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Women's Suffrage in Delaware (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Georgetown.
Also see . . . Local Legacies: Return Day. (Submitted on July 1, 2006.)
Photographed by Maggie Lora, January 1, 2005
2. Return Day Marker in a previous color scheme
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 18, 2011
4. Return Day Marker on The Circle at Market Street.
Sussex County Courthouse seen in background
Credits. This page was last revised on October 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2006, by Maggie Lora of Kensington, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,162 times since then and 37 times this year. Last updated on July 1, 2006, by Maggie Lora of Kensington, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on October 30, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on July 1, 2006, by Maggie Lora of Kensington, Maryland. 3. submitted on October 30, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on October 25, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
