Maryland, known as the “Old Line State,” has a rich history and many interesting characteristics. Here are some fun facts about Maryland:
- State nickname: Maryland is often called the “Old Line State” in honor of its Revolutionary War soldiers, known as the Maryland Line, who fought bravely in many key battles.
- Statehood: Maryland became the 7th state of the United States on April 28, 1788.
- State symbols: The state bird of Maryland is the Baltimore Oriole, the state flower is the Black-eyed Susan, and the state tree is the White Oak.
- U.S. Naval Academy: The United States Naval Academy, a prestigious institution that trains officers for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, is located in Annapolis, Maryland.
- Chesapeake Bay: Maryland is home to the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States, which provides a unique ecosystem and a variety of recreational activities, such as boating and fishing.
- Crab cakes: Maryland is famous for its crab cakes, made from the meat of the blue crab, which is abundant in the Chesapeake Bay.
- Star-Spangled Banner: The U.S. national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” was written by Francis Scott Key during the Battle of Baltimore in 1814. The anthem was inspired by the sight of the American flag flying over Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor.
- Assateague Island: Assateague Island, located off the coast of Maryland and Virginia, is famous for its wild horses, known as the Assateague Ponies or Chincoteague Ponies.
- First dental school: The world’s first dental school, the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, was founded in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1840. It later merged with the University of Maryland.
- Religious freedom: Maryland was founded by English settlers seeking religious freedom in 1634. The Maryland Toleration Act of 1649 was one of the first laws in the New World granting religious freedom to all Christian denominations.
- The Mason-Dixon Line: The Mason-Dixon Line, a survey line that settled a boundary dispute between Pennsylvania and Maryland in the 1760s, later became a symbolic dividing line between the North and South during the American Civil War.
- Jousting: Jousting, a medieval sport in which mounted knights attempt to lance a ring, has been Maryland’s official state sport since 1962.
- Johns Hopkins University: Johns Hopkins University, located in Baltimore, Maryland, is a renowned research institution known for its contributions to science, medicine, and engineering.
- The Preakness Stakes: The Preakness Stakes, the second leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown, is held annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland.
- National Harbor: National Harbor, a development along the Potomac River, features waterfront dining, shopping, and entertainment, as well as the Capital Wheel, a 180-foot-tall Ferris wheel with views of Washington, D.C., and the surrounding area.