The Delaware Constitution was the first constitution of the state of Delaware. This constitution identified Delaware as “The Delaware State” for prior to 1776 the state was commonly known as the “three lower counties” of Pennsylvania. The Delaware General Assembly “suspended government under the Crown” a month prior to the Declaration of Independence and called for a State Constitutional Convention in August 1776. The convention adopted a declaration of rights in September 1776, which guaranteed freedoms later enshrined by the US Constitution, including freedom of religion and of the press, trial by jury, and the right to petition. Like the US Constitution, the Delaware constitution (adopted in October 1776), created a bicameral legislature and separated power into three branches of government.