Maryland

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US Naval Academy campus, Annapolis (Michael Slonecker, Wikimedia Commons)

Let’s Visit Maryland

Highlights

National Aquarium, Baltimore (AndrewHorne, Wikimedia Commons)

Let’s learn more about some fascinating places worth seeing in Maryland.

  1. National Aquarium (Baltimore)
    Famous for its extensive collection of marine life, including sharks, dolphins, and tropical fish, this aquarium is one of the most visited in the U.S.
  2. Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine (Baltimore)
    Known as the birthplace of the U.S. national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” this fort played a crucial role in the War of 1812.
  3. Assateague Island National Seashore (near Ocean City)
    Famous for its wild horses, pristine beaches, and natural beauty, this barrier island is a top destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
  4. Antietam National Battlefield (Sharpsburg)
    This historic site is the location of the bloodiest single-day battle in American history during the Civil War and serves as a solemn reminder of the past.
  5. The Walters Art Museum (Baltimore)
    Renowned for its vast collection of art spanning thousands of years, from ancient Egypt to 19th-century European masterpieces.
  6. Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (St. Michaels)
    Known for showcasing the rich maritime history of the Chesapeake Bay, this museum offers hands-on exhibits and historic boats.
  7. The U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis)
    This prestigious military academy is famous for training officers for the Navy and Marine Corps and offers tours of its historic campus.
  8. Deep Creek Lake (Garrett County)
    Maryland’s largest freshwater lake, it is famous for its year-round outdoor recreation, including boating, fishing, and skiing in the winter.
  9. The Maryland Science Center (Baltimore)
    A popular attraction for families, the science center offers interactive exhibits, an IMAX theater, and a planetarium.
  10. The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park (Church Creek)
    This site honors Harriet Tubman, the famed conductor of the Underground Railroad, and preserves the landscapes where she lived and worked.

Intriguing mysteries and weird facts

Mount Clare Railroad Station, Baltimore (James G. Howes, Wikimedia Commons)

Discover these little-known facts about Maryland.

  1. Maryland has the nation’s narrowest point.
    At one spot in Hancock, Maryland, the state is only 1.8 miles wide, making it the narrowest point of any U.S. state.
  2. Home to the first umbrella factory in the U.S.
    In 1928, the first umbrella factory opened in Baltimore, producing this now-essential rainy day accessory.
  3. The state sport is jousting.
    Maryland officially declared jousting—yes, the medieval horseback combat—as its state sport in 1962.
  4. Blue crabs are a big deal.
    Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay is famous for its blue crabs, and locals even have a special way of eating them involving mallets and Old Bay seasoning.
  5. Maryland had no natural lakes until one was made.
    Before the creation of Deep Creek Lake, Maryland had no natural freshwater lakes, making it one of the few states to lack this natural feature.
  6. There’s a town named Accident.
    Accident, Maryland, is a small town with a strange name. According to legend, it was named after an accidental land survey mistake.
  7. Edgar Allan Poe died mysteriously in Baltimore.
    The famous poet and author of dark tales, Edgar Allan Poe, mysteriously died in Baltimore in 1849 under unknown circumstances.
  8. Maryland’s flag is the only one based on English heraldry.
    The Maryland state flag is unique for its design, which comes from the heraldic banner of the Calvert and Crossland families.
  9. Home to America’s first railroad station.
    The Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad, established in 1827, was the first U.S. railroad, with its original station in Baltimore still standing as a museum.
  10. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge is spooky to some.
    Spanning over four miles across the Chesapeake Bay, the bridge is so daunting that there are services for drivers too scared to cross it themselves!

Notable People

Here are 10 famous men and women from Maryland.

Famous Men

Michael Phelps, Rio Olympics, 2016 (Agência Brasil Fotografias, Wikimedia CCA 2.0)
  1. Frederick Douglass (1818–1895)
    Born into slavery in Maryland, Douglass escaped and became a leading abolitionist, orator, writer, and advocate for human rights.
  2. Thurgood Marshall (1908–1993)
    Born in Baltimore, Marshall was the first African American Supreme Court Justice and is best known for his victory in the Brown v. Board of Education case that ended legal school segregation.
  3. Michael Phelps (born 1985)
    A native of Baltimore, Phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all time with 23 gold medals in swimming, making him a global sports icon.
  4. Francis Scott Key (1779–1843)
    Born in Frederick County, Key wrote the lyrics to The Star-Spangled Banner after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812.
  5. Johns Hopkins (1795–1873)
    A philanthropist and entrepreneur from Baltimore, Hopkins is known for founding Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Hospital, both world-renowned institutions.

Famous Women

Harriet Tubman (Horatio Seymour Squyer, Wikimedia-Commons)
  1. Harriet Tubman (1822–1913)
    Born into slavery in Dorchester County, Tubman escaped and became a conductor on the Underground Railroad, leading hundreds of enslaved people to freedom.
  2. Billie Holiday (1915–1959)
    Born in Baltimore, Holiday was one of the greatest jazz and blues singers of all time, known for her emotive voice and songs like “Strange Fruit.”
  3. Barbara Mikulski (born 1936)
    Born in Baltimore, Mikulski was the longest-serving woman in the history of the U.S. Congress, known for her advocacy for women’s rights and healthcare reform.
  4. Toni Braxton (born 1967)
    Born in Severn, Maryland, Braxton is a Grammy-winning R&B singer known for hits like “Un-Break My Heart” and has sold millions of albums worldwide.
  5. Clara Barton (1821–1912)
    Born in North Oxford (now part of Maryland), Barton was the founder of the American Red Cross and played a vital role in humanitarian efforts during and after the Civil War.

Date of Ratification of the Articles of Confederation/
Admission to the Union

April 28, 1788 (7th)

State Capital

Maryland State House in Annapolis (Martin Falbisoner, Wikimedia CCA 3.0)

Area and Total Population

Area: 9,707 square miles Total Population: 5,976,000

Major cities and their population

City Population
Baltimore 565,000
Columbia 107,000
Germantown 90,000
Frederick 86,000
Silver Spring 82,000
Gaithersburg 70,000
Bethesda 66,000
Annapolis 41,000

Education

Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (Art Anderson, Wikimedia CCA 3.0)

Educational Resources

Twinkl. Maryland

Fairs and festivals

Flag

Maryland’s flag bears the arms of the Calvert and Crossland families. Calvert was the family name of Lord Baltimore who founded Maryland. Crossland was the family of the mother of George Calvert, the first Lord Baltimore.

The yellow and black from Lord Baltimore’s banner was used by pro-Union Marylanders during the American Civil War. The crimson and white from the “Crossland Banner” was used by pro-Confederate Marylanders during the American Civil War.

The flag was officially adopted by the Maryland General Assembly in 1904.

Geography

Location

Maryland (Tubs, Wikimedia CCA 3.0)

Glimpses Into History

Washington Monument, 1827. Boonsboro, Maryland (Zeete, Wikimedia CCA 4.0)

Breathtaking Landscapes

Check out these incredible landscapes and wildlife of Maryland.

National Landmarks and Historic Sites

National Monuments

  1. Fort McHenry National Monument (National Park Service)

National and State Parks

Greenbrier State Park, Maryland (Clarissajoy, Wikimedia CCA 1.0)

Sports

Professional Sports Teams

Baltimore

Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers football (Keith Allison, Wikimedia CCA 2.0)

NCAA (National Collegiate Athletics Association) Division I Teams

State Motto

“Fatti maschii, parole femine” meaning “strong deeds, gentle words,”

State Nicknames

  • The Old Line State
  • The Free State
  • The Little America State

State Symbols

Seal

Rare among U.S. states, the seal of Maryland has the distinction of being a dual-sided seal. One side shows shows Lord Baltimore as a knight mounted on a charger. He is in full armor mounted with a drawn sword in hand.

The reverse side of the seal shows the Calvert arms. A plowman holding a spade appears on one side of a shield. A fisherman appears on the other side. A crown with gold and black pennants appears on the crest of the shield. At the base of the shield is the text of Maryland’s motto.  During the 2017 legislative session, he current official translation, “Strong deeds, gentle words,” was adopted.

License Plate

State Animal

Chesapeake Bay retriever (Nevilley, Wikimedia CCA 3.0)

State Bird

Maryland Baltimore Oriole (MDF, Wikimedia CCA 3.0)

State Flower

Tourism: Enjoy some incredible vacations

Wild ponies on Assateague Island, Maryland (Lyndi and Jason, Wikimedia CCA 2.0)

Watch a video

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore. America’s first cathedral (Wikimedia Commons)

Weather

Deep Creek Lake, Maryland in autumn (Maryland Office of Tourism Development, Wikimedia Commons)

More Resources For The Best Things To Do

Annapolis

Annapolis marina (Ad Meskens, Wikimedia CCA 3.0)

Baltimore

Baltimore (Matthew Binebrink, Wikimedia CCA 4.0)