Information and history of the state of Maryland

Europeans began exploring the area, starting with John Cabot in 1498. The first European settlements were made in 1634, when the English arrived in significant numbers and created a permanent colony. Maryland was notable for having been established with religious freedom for Catholics.

In 1776, during the American Revolution, Maryland became a state in the United States.

Maryland's Eastern Shore and Western Shore embrace the Chesapeake Bay, and the many estuaries and rivers create one of the longest waterfronts of any state. The Bay produces more seafood—oysters, crabs, clams, fin fish—than any comparable body of water.

Some Maryland Symbols

1. State Bird	2. State Dog	3. State Flower	4. State Insect	5. State Crustacean
6. State Tree	7. State Dessert	8. State Cat	9. State Fish	10. State Reptile

1. Baltimore Oriole - Maryland designated the Baltimore oriole as the official state bird in 1947. The Baltimore oriole is a distinctive inhabitant of Maryland's parks and suburban areas and Maryland birders eagerly await this medium songbird's migration each spring.
2. Chesapeake Bay Retriever- Maryland designated the Chesapeake Bay retriever as the official state dog in 1964. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers trace their history to two Newfoundland dogs rescued in 1807 from a foundering ship in Maryland.
3. Black-eyed Susan - Maryland designated the black-eyed susan as the official state floral emblem in 1918. The black-eyed susan is a daisy-like wildflower with yellow petals and a dark brown center that grows in dry places.
4. Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly - Maryland designated the lovely Baltimore checkerspot butterfly as the official arthropodic emblem in 1973. This rare butterfly lives in boggy habitats and seems to be declining in its range.
5. Blue Crab - Maryland designated the blue crab as the official state crustacean in 1989. Its scientific name translates as "beautiful swimmer that is savory."
6. White Oak Tree - Maryland designated the white oak as the official state tree in 1941. Found throughout Maryland, white oaks are large, slow-growing, and long-lived trees.
7. Smith Island Cake - Maryland designated Smith Island cake as the official state dessert in 2008. Called "layer cakes" on Smith Island, they come in just about any flavor, but they're stacked 8 to 12 layers high.
8. Calico - Maryland designated the calico as the official state cat in 2001. Calico is not a breed of cat, but an unusual coloring occurring across many breeds.
9. Striped Bass - Maryland designated striped bass as the official state fish in 1965.
10. Diamondback Terrapin Turtle - Maryland designated the diamondback terrapin turtle as the official state reptile in 1994.

Did you know?

• America's national anthem was written by Francis Scott Key a Maryland lawyer. It is believed Key wrote the anthem on September 14, 1814 while watching the bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor.
• Since May 30th, 1949 the United States flag has flown continuously over the monument marking the site of Francis Scott Key's birthplace. The flag flies at Terra Rubra Farm, Carroll County, Keymar, Maryland as mandated by a Joint Resolution of Congress.
• The Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is considered a masterpiece and one of the finest 19th century buildings in the world. The basilica is the first cathedral in the United States. Baltimore represents the first Roman Catholic diocese.
• 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.
• Maryland gave up some of it's land to form Washington D.C.
• 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.
• In 1844 the first telegraph line in the world was established between Washington and Baltimore.