Last updated on June 30th, 2023
49. The Wye Oak was the largest white oak tree in the United States and the State Tree of Maryland from 1941 until its demise in 2002. At its end, the tree measured 31 feet 8 inches in circumference, was 96 feet tall and had an average crown spread of 119 feet. The main bole of the tree weighed over 61,000 pounds.
50. During its earlier days as a colonial capital city, Annapolis was known as the “Athens of America.” Also, Annapolis is known as the sailing capital of the world.
51. King Williams School opened in 1696 was the first school in the United States.
52. It was in Baltimore in 1774 that the first post office system in the United States was inaugurated by William Goddard.
About the flag of Maryland
1. Design and Symbolism
The flag of Maryland is a symbol of harmony across the state. It shows that citizens could set aside their differences and move forward as one.
It features elements taken from the heraldic banner of Cecil Calvert, the Second Baron Baltimore, who used it in the 1600s. He founded the Maryland colony after a grant from King Charles I.
The flag has four equal parts. The upper-left and lower-right quarters feature the arms of George Calvert, the First Baron Baltimore. The vertical black and yellow bars became the flag of the pro-Union faction during the US Civil War.
The upper-right and the bottom-left quarters feature the arms of the Crossland family from the mother of the Baron. It has a red and white cross with three knobs at the ends. The pro-Confederate faction used the Crossland banner in the Civil War.
Placing these war banners together in the flag is a powerful statement of reunification.
2. Adoption
The Maryland General Assembly adopted the current flag on March 9, 1904.
3. Technical Details
The flag uses a proportion of 2:3. As for the color scheme, the exact HEX values of the gold, black, white, and red sections are EBAC00, 000000, FFFFFF, and 9E1D32, respectively. If using the Pantone Matching System, red is either PMS201 or 193, and yellow is PMS 124.
4. History
George Calvert, former secretary of state, wanted to form a new colony in America to welcome English Roman Catholics. After his death, King Charles I allowed his son to realize this dream through a charter. The name Maryland honors the queen, Henrietta Maria. The Calvert family banner became the colonial flag.
During the US Civil War, most people in Maryland remained loyal to the Union, but others supported the Confederacy. Each side turned to the colonial flag, isolating elements to serve as their banners. After the war, both sides returned to the state and began reconciliation.
In 1880, the current flag combining the colors from opposing sides first appeared at the 150th Baltimore anniversary parade. Eight years later, it showed up again at a Gettysburg Battlefield ceremony. In 1904, the Maryland General Assembly finally made it the official state flag.
5. Flag Restrictions
Maryland has a strict rule about what flagpole to use. In 1945, the general assembly specified a gold cross ornament for the top of poles carrying the state flag. You can see this at the Governor’s Mansion, state government buildings, and public schools. However, many private individuals deviate from this rule.
6. Other Flags
After the American Revolution, the newly independent Maryland discontinued using the Calvert flag. People used different unofficial banners without colonial links. Many placed the state seal on a blue field.
The Maryland State Colonization Society sought to bring African Americans back to their roots, where they may enjoy greater freedom. In 1834, it founded the Republic of Maryland, which is now part of Liberia. This private colony used the yellow and black colors of the Calvert flag.
Maryland – Quick facts and state symbols
| State Abbreviation | MD |
|---|---|
| State Capital | Annapolis |
| Largest City | Baltimore |
| State Size | Total (Land + Water): 12,407 sq miles; Land Only: 9,774 sq miles |
| Population | 6,180,253 (Estimate July 1, 2023 from United States Census Bureau) |
| Statehood | April 28, 1788 |
| State rank by population | 19th |
| State rank by date of formation | 7th |
| State rank by area | 42nd |
| Number of counties | 24 |
| Demonym | Marylander |
| Bordering States | Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia |
| Official Language | None |
| Highest Point | Hoye-Crest 3,360 ft (1024 m) |
| Lowest point | Atlantic Ocean Sea level |
| Length | 119 miles (192 km) |
| Width | 196 miles (315 km) |
| Governor | Wes Moore (D) |
| Lieutenant Governor | Aruna Miller (D) |
| Electoral Votes | 10 |
| State Motto | Fatti maschii, parole femine (Manly deeds, womanly words) |
| State Nickname | Free State; Old Line State |
| % Water | 21 |
| Nobel Prize Winners | Peyton Rous (Physiology or Medicine, 1966) Martin Rodbell (Physiology or Medicine, 1994) |
| Famous people | Cal Ripken, Jr. (Baseball player) Julie Bowen (Actress) Julienne Irwin (Singer) |
| State Gem | Patuxent River Stone |
| State Boat | Skipjack |
| State Dog | Chesapeake Bay retrieve |
| State Bird | Baltimore Oriole |
| Cat | Calico cat |
| Crustacean | Blue crab |
| State Reptile | Diamonback terrapin |
| State Horse | Thoroughbred |
| State Dinosaur | Astrodon |
| State Flower | Black-eyed susan |
| State Insect | Baltimore checkerspot butterfly |
| State Tree | White oak |
| Longitude | 75° 03′ W to 79° 29′ W |
| Latitude | 37° 53′ N to 39° 43′ N |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time Zone, |
| Website | www.maryland.gov |
| Area Codes | 227, 240, 249, 280, 301, 410, 443, 667 |
| Table last updated | December 21, 2023 |