Return Day is not a federal holiday. In fact, its celebration is unique to Delaware, but has a long history and is characterized by some amusing traditions.
In 1791, the Delaware Legislature required all votes to be cast on Election Day at the new County Seat in Georgetown, Delaware. Thus, all Sussex County residents had to travel to Georgetown in order to vote on Election Day. Without the convenience of television and internet, these voters had to return two days later to hear the results – hence the name Return Day.
The winners of that year's political races would parade around the town circle in horse-drawn carriages, after which the losers and the chairmen of the county's political parties would perform a symbolic ceremony: they would bury a hatchet in a tub of sand, marking the end of political rivalry and a return to civility. If only...
Even though the "need" to return to Georgetown to hear election results has vanished, many of these traditions have been maintained. The festivity begins with a concert and an ox roast in the town circle, and also includes food vendors, competitions, entertainment, arts and crafts. The traditional parade of the candidates around the town circle and the burying of the hatchet remain a significant part of the ceremony.
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