- William Nuthead started the first printing business in St. Mary’s City in 1685. When he died, his wife Diana inherited the business. She was the first female licensed as a printer in the colonies.
- The Maryland Gazette founded in 1727 is the oldest continuously published newspaper in the United States.
- Charles Mason and Jeremiah surveyed the Mason-Dixon Line in 1763 to determine the border between Pennsylvania and Maryland. In 1767 the Mason-Dixon Line was established as Maryland’s northern border.
- William Goddard inaugurated the first Post Office system in the United States in Baltimore in 1774.
- In 1784 the first balloon ascension in the United States took place in Baltimore. The balloon was designed by Peter Carnes, but the ascent was made by thirteen year old Edward Warren.
- Georgetown Prep in Bethesda, founded in 1789 by the society of Jesuits, is the oldest Catholic secondary school in the United States.
- The Baltimore Water Company, the first water company in the United States, was chartered in 1792.
- Mary Pickersgill designed the flag that flew over Ft. McHenry during the War of 1812.
- Francis Scott Key wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner” after seeing the flag still waving during a battle in 1814.
- In 1828 St. Francis Academy was the first dental school in the world. This became the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery in 1839.
- In 1844 the first telegraph line in the world was established between Washington and Baltimore
- In 1856 Charles Benedict Calvert created the first agricultural research college in the United States. The Maryland Agricultural College became the University of Maryland at College Park.
- The USS Constellation docked in Baltimore is the last ship to survive from the Civil War.
- The B & O Railroad was incorporated in 1827 by Charles Carroll. Today the railroad is part of CSX.
- The Carrollton Viaduct in Baltimore was named in honor of Charles Carroll of Carrollton and is the oldest railroad bridge still in use.
- The Thomas Viaduct in Relay was the longest bridge in the United States on completion in 1835 and is still in use.
- Dr. Florence Rina Sabin of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore became the first female professor of medicine in 1901.
- Maryland is often referred to America in Miniature.Maryland possesses a variety of topography within its borders, contributing to its nickname America in Miniature. It ranges from sandy dunes dotted with seagrass in the east, to low marshlands teeming with wildlife and large bald cypress near the Chesapeake Bay, to gently rolling hills of oak forests in the Piedmont Region, and pine groves in the mountains to the west.
- Smith Island. This place is entitled as the only populated off-shore Island in the United States. If you want to visit this island, you need to catch the ferry. Smith Island is also Maryland's official state dessert.
- The United States Naval Academy was founded on October 10, 1845 at Annapolis.
- King Williams School opened in 1696 it was the first school in the United States.
- Tilghman Island is home to the Skipjacks, the only commercial sailing fleet in North America.
- The 1,200 foot Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore is the second longest continuous truss bridge in the nation.
- Annapolis is known as the sailing capital of the world.
- The Maryland State House is the oldest state capitol still in continuous legislative use.
- The town of Garrett Park declared the first nuclear free zone in the United States in 1982, thus affirming a tradition of peacefulness that began back in 1898 when it became illegal to harm any tree or songbird within the town limits.
- The Concord Point Lighthouse in Havre de Grace is the oldest continuously operated lighthouse in the State of Maryland.
- Havre de Grace is known as the decoy capitol of the world.
- Sixteen of the 23 Maryland counties border on tidal water. The combined length of tidal shoreline, including islands, is 4,431 miles.
- Annapolis was known as the Athens of America during the seventeenth century and once served as the capital of the United States.
FAQs
What is Maryland best known for? ›
Home to the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland is known for its blue crabs and the city of Baltimore, a major historic trading port, baseball destination and birthplace of the national anthem.
Why is Maryland so famous? ›Maryland is known for: Blue crabs. Birthplace of the U.S. National Anthem. The twin spans of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.
How did Maryland get it's name? ›Maryland's name honors Queen Henrietta Maria (1609-1669), wife of Charles I (1600-1649), King of Great Britain and Ireland, who signed the 1632 charter establishing the Maryland colony. Queen Henrietta Maria was the daughter of Henry IV of France (1553-1610) and his second wife, Marie de Medici (1573-1642).
What is important in Maryland? ›Maryland was home to the first railroad, the first dental school and the first umbrella factory. And Maryland inventors gave us the gas light, the linotype machine and the refrigerator.
How old is the state of Maryland? ›Maryland joined the Union on April 28, 1788, as the seventh state. The area of Maryland was part of the original territory of the United States. It was chartered as a colony in 1632. The area described by this charter, however, conflicted with the charter for Virginia and, later, the charter for Pennsylvania.
What are 3 nicknames that Maryland has? ›Occasional nicknames include Old Line State, the Free State, and the Chesapeake Bay State.
What is the big attraction in Maryland? ›The Inner Harbor is the world-class centerpiece of the city of Baltimore, with visiting tall ships, museums, restaurants and shops all within walking distance of each other.
What is the nicest city in Maryland? ›ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball has announced that Columbia has been named Maryland's “Best Cities to Raise a Family in America ” and “Best Cities to Live in America ” for 2024 by Niche. With a population of more than 106,000, Columbia scored an overall Niche grade of A+.
What is a fun fact about Maryland? ›Maryland was named after Queen Henrietta Maria of England. She was married to King Charles I, who granted permission for Maryland to become a colony. Legend has it that Maryland's nicknamed the Old Line State in honor of 400 Revolutionary War soldiers who faced off against 10,000 British soldiers in a battle in 1776.
Why do people love Maryland so much? ›Many of the locals will tell you it's the oh-so-delicious blue crab, the diverse cultural heritage, or the state's amazing education system. Whatever your reason for living in Maryland, we're here to offer five more incredible reasons to absolutely love living in the Free America state.
What is Maryland the best at? ›
Maryland's ranking reflects its strong economy, low crime rates, and quality of life indicators. With a final score of 59.28, Maryland received the highest possible score of 10 for having a low unemployment rate, just 1.8% of the population.
What is Maryland known for in history? ›Maryland soon became one of the few predominantly Catholic regions among the English colonies in North America. Maryland was also one of the key destinations where the government sent tens of thousands of English convicts punished by sentences of transportation. Such punishment persisted until the Revolutionary War.
Why is Maryland called Little America? ›In the 1970s, National Geographic dubbed Maryland, “America in Miniature,” due to the fact that nearly every kind of terrain can be found here – from the sandy shores of the Atlantic Ocean and the expansive marshes of the Chesapeake Bay, to vast acres of farmland and the rocky Appalachian mountains.
What is Maryland's motto? › What is unique to Maryland? ›There are certain things that just make Maryland... Maryland! Beyond the crab cakes and Old Bay, the Old Line State is home to the country's first intercity railroad, battlefields that built America, the world's best lacrosse stick manufacturer and the second jewel of horse racing's Triple Crown.
Why is Maryland so popular? ›Thousand of miles of shoreline means endless opportunity for water activities—whether it's soaking up sun in Ocean City, sailing the Chesapeake Bay, or paddling creeks of Western Maryland. And water is only part of the story.
What is a fun fact about Baltimore? ›Baseball legend Babe Ruth was born in Baltimore. Baltimore's World Trade Center at the Inner Harbor is the world's tallest five-sided building. (Take the elevator to the 27th floor for a panoramic view of the city.) The first umbrella factory in the United States was established in Baltimore in 1828.
Can a 14 year old date a 18 year old in Maryland? ›As long as the age difference between the couple is within three years of each other and the minor is over the age of 14, a sexual relationship will not be considered statutory rape. For example,a 15 year old sophom*ore and an 18 year old senior are protected by Romeo and Juliet laws.
What did Maryland invent? ›The birthplace of the US railroad was another invention from Maryland. You can still ride the United States' first commercial mile of the railroad at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore. A historic day trip full of fun.
What is the oldest city in Maryland? ›Historic St. Mary's City, the site of the fourth permanent settlement in British North America, was Maryland's first settlement in 1634 and for sixty-one years (until 1695) its colonial capital. The Historic St. Mary's City Commission preserves, develops, and maintains Historic St.
What are 3 facts about the Maryland colony? ›
- Although Maryland started as a haven for Catholics, Protestants quickly became the majority.
- Maryland became the first colony to outlaw the use of slave and indentured labor.
- Maryland's economy was based on subsistence farming and the shipbuilding industry.
The beautiful Maryland State House is the oldest state capitol in continuous legislative use and is the only state house ever to have served as the nation's capitol. The Continental Congress met in the Old Senate Chamber from November 26, 1783 to August 13, 1784.
What is a fun fact about Baltimore Maryland? ›Baltimore is home to the USS Constellation, the last Civil War vessel afloat. Built in 1854, the Constellation is the last all-sail warship built by the US Navy. Baltimore's Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the first cathedral in the United States.