“America in Miniature”
Maryland is often referred to as “America in Miniature” because the state has a little bit of everything: mountains in the west, farmlands in the center, and over 4,000 miles of shoreline, including the large estuary of the Chesapeake Bay.
Birthplace of the Star-Spangled Banner
Francis Scott Key wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner” during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. The song was inspired by the sight of the American flag flying over Fort McHenry and later became the national anthem of the United States.
First Capital
For a brief period from 1783 to 1784, Annapolis was the temporary capital of the United States. The Treaty of Paris, which officially ended the American Revolutionary War, was ratified here.
Religious Freedom
Maryland was founded as a safe place for Roman Catholics who were persecuted in England. The Maryland Toleration Act of 1649 was one of the first laws that granted religious freedom to all Christians.
The Mason-Dixon Line
Maryland is divided by the Mason-Dixon Line, a boundary that also separated the North from the South during the American Civil War. The line was established to resolve a border dispute between Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
Seafood Central
The state is famous for its seafood, particularly crabs from the Chesapeake Bay. The Maryland crab feast, featuring the blue crab, is a beloved tradition and significant part of the state’s cultural identity.
Naval Academy
Annapolis is home to the United States Naval Academy, one of the country’s leading institutions for naval education. The academy has produced some of the nation’s most distinguished naval and marine officers.
Influential Journalists
The state has been home to several Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, including Russell Baker and Henry Louis Mencken, who left a significant impact on American literature and journalism.
Preakness Stakes
Baltimore hosts the annual Preakness Stakes, one of the three horse races that make up the Triple Crown. The event is one of the oldest and most attended thoroughbred horse races in the U.S.
Underground Railroad Routes
Harriet Tubman was born into slavery in Maryland. The state was home to several routes of the Underground Railroad, through which Tubman led numerous slaves to freedom.
From its rich colonial history and diverse geography to its cultural contributions and technological innovations, Maryland packs a lot of variety into its relatively small size.
