Nicknames: Old Line State

Capitol: Annapolis

Motto: "Fatti maschii parole femine," loosely translated "manly deeds, womanly words," but more accurately translated as "strong deeds, gentle words."

Song: Maryland, My Maryland words by: James R. Randall

Flower: Black-eyed susan Rudbeckia hirta

Tree: White Oak Quercus alba

Bird: Baltimore Oriole

Gained Statehood: April 28, 1788

Name Origin: Named to honor Henrietta Maria, wife of England's King Charles I

From the white, sandy beaches at Ocean City to Baltimore's bustling Inner Harbor to the Chesapeake Bay and tributaries, Maryland offers visitors a beautiful area for vacationing.

In 1608, Capt. John Smith explored Chesapeake Bay. Europeans first set foot on the shores of Maryland in 1631. Charles I granted a royal charter for Maryland to Cecil Calvert, Lord Baltimore, in 1632. Maryland, one of the original 13 States of the USA, was founded by Lord Baltimore in 1634. English settlers landed on St. Clement's (now Blakistone) Island in 1634. From 1763 to 1767, Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon surveyed Maryland's northern boundary line with Pennsylvania now known as the Mason Dixon Line. In 1791, Maryland ceded land to form the District of Columbia. Throughout the history of the United States, Maryland has played a big part in history. Antietam and Fort McHenry are so famous in their role in US history that they are known by name. The Battle at Fort McHenry inspired the writing of the Star Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key. During the Civil War, Maryland was a slave state but remained in the Union. Consequently, Marylanders fought on both sides and many families were divided. Western Maryland developed intrastate transportation with the C&O Canal, the National Pike and B&O Railroad. Annapolis was once known as the "Athens of America" and even served as the capital of the United States. Baltimore grew famous in the early 1800's for the clipper ships built in Baltimore Harbour area. Maryland's first capital is located at Historic St. Mary's City, along with Native American and colonial historical sites. The Eastern Shore of Maryland continues to celebrate the heritage and traditions of the Chesapeake Bay with an emphasis on maritime history, waterfowl art and the seafood industry. As you browse through our web page, you'll find that a trip to Maryland is a getaway of historic proportions.

Today Maryland's Eastern Shore and Western Shore embrace the Chesapeake Bay which produces more seafood-oysters, crabs, clams, fin fish-than any comparable body of water. Maryland also produces greenhouse and nursery products, chickens, dairy products, eggs, and soybeans. Maryland's natural resources include stone, coal, sand, gravel, cement, and clay. Maryland manufactures food products, chemicals, computer and electronic products, transportation equipment, and primary metals.

Benjamin Banneker , John Barth , Eubie Blake , John Wilkes Booth , Francis X. Bushman , James M. Cain , Samuel Chase , Frederick Douglass , John Fletcher Hurst , Christopher Gist , Philip Glass , John Hanson , Matthew Henson , Billie Holiday , Johns Hopkins , Reverdy Johnson , Thomas Johnson , Francis Scott Key , Thurgood Marshall , H. L. Mencken , Hezekiah Niles , Charles Willson Peale , Frank Perdue , James R. Randall , Babe Ruth , Upton Sinclair , Roger B. Taney , George Alfred Townsend (Gath) , Harriet Tubman , Leon Uris , Frank Zappa