Discover the Charm: 21 Captivating Fun Facts About Maryland You Can't-Miss!

1. Seafood Central

Craving seafood? Look no further than the true "Claws of Production" – Maryland: This coastal champion single-handedly supplies half of the nation's blue crabs and leads the pack in soft clams, churning out a whopping 47 million pounds of fresh seafood annually and boosting its economy by nearly $600 million!
Source => msa.maryland.gov

2. Jousting and Lacrosse Land

The knights of Mary-Land and the native stick wizards: Maryland boasts the world's oldest equestrian sport, jousting, dating back to early colonial times; and lacrosse, the ancient native American game known since 1636, which eventually became the state's official team sport in 2004. Both sports continue to thrive throughout the state, providing entertainment and historical significance.
Source => msa.maryland.gov

Did you know that Baltimore's famous Berger Cookie began in 1835 by German brothers George and Henry Berger? Their frosted shortbread creation is now a symbol of Baltimore pride! 🍪😋 Discover more about this chocolatey treat's history and how it remains a local favorite today.

=> Fun Facts about Baltimore

3. Natty Boh and the Baltimore Colts

Behold, a frosty hymn to Maryland's liquid pride: Once upon a Natty Boh, this legendary beer burst on to the Baltimore scene and conquered not just the taste buds but also the hearts of the masses. It even wrestled the mighty Baltimore Colts into submission, becoming their official swill of choice: National Bohemian Beer, affectionately dubbed Natty Boh, was first brewed in Baltimore in 1885, and in the mid-20th century, it became the official drink of the Baltimore Colts football team. With the revival of its tagline "Land of Pleasant Living" in the early 2000s, Natty Boh once again rose to prominence, symbolizing Baltimore pride and pairing perfectly with pit beef sandwiches and crab cakes, thus sealing its status as a true Maryland mainstay.
Source => foodigenous.com

4. Pioneer of Religious Freedom

Holy tolerance, Batman! In the land of Old Bay and crab feasts, it turns out our beloved Maryland was a pioneer in religious freedom: The Maryland Toleration Act of 1649 was the first law in the colony to offer liberties to Christians of different denominations, encouraging diverse settlers to make themselves at home while cracking down on blasphemy and snide remarks about others' beliefs.
Source => mtsu.edu

5. Umbrella Capital of the World

When it rains, it pours... umbrellas in Baltimore: The city was once hailed as the umbrella capital of the world, producing over 1.5 million brollies annually in the early 20th century, with local companies like the Beehler Umbrella Factory and Polan, Katz & Co. revolutionizing the industry by crafting the first-ever nylon umbrellas.
Source => thebmi.org

6. Sports Fan Paradise

In Maryland, sports fans don't just talk a big game; they play, cheer, and swim like fish to fame: The state boasts impressive professional sports franchises, such as the Baltimore Ravens, Washington Commanders, and the Baltimore Orioles, while also fostering a rich Olympic legacy featuring gold medalists like Michael Phelps, Katie Hoff, Katie Ledecky, and Chase Kalisz.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

7. Edgar Allan Poe's Musical Tombs

Rumor has it that the master of macabre himself, Edgar Allan Poe, was a frequent participant in games of musical tombs: In actuality, his original burial site resides behind Baltimore's Westminster Presbyterian Church, only to be relocated within the same cemetery later for a grander resting place.
Source => tripadvisor.com

8. Chicken-Powered Economy

Why did the chickens of Maryland form their own eggcellent local government? Because they're practically the backbone of the state's economy: Poultry and eggs make up nearly 48% of Maryland's agriculture sales, ranking #1 in the state, and placing it seventh in the nation for the number of broilers sold at a whopping 307.7 million!
Source => usda.gov

9. Birthplace of the National Anthem

Who needs a jukebox when you've got Baltimore? That's right, folks, the good ol' state of Maryland served as the birthplace for a true chart-topper: Francis Scott Key penned the lyrics for "The Star-Spangled Banner" after witnessing the American victory at the Battle of Baltimore in 1814. The triumphant raising of the American flag over Fort McHenry fueled Key's inspiration, and eventually, his words became the national anthem we know and love. And if you ever fancy a real-life tour down Anthem Lane, Fort McHenry still welcomes visitors eager to learn about this musical masterpiece's origin story.
Source => amhistory.si.edu

10. Ghostly Grandeur of Ellicott City

In a place where the spirits rock and granite rolls, Ellicott City, Maryland is the paranormal party every ghost dream of attending: Built on a bed of granite with historic buildings carved from the very same bedrock, this spooky town features a river beneath its streets and thick electrical cables, creating an energy-filled atmosphere that attracts and excites both otherworldly beings and paranormal enthusiasts alike.
Source => waysideinnmd.com

11. Charming Havre De Grace Stardom

Take a step back in time and revel in the charm of Havre De Grace, the small town with a big heart and an even bigger trophy cabinet: Ranked 12th on Smithsonian Magazine's "The Best 20 Small Towns to Visit in 2014" and named one of the top 50 small towns by Travel World, Havre De Grace's historic sites, downtown shopping, waterfront recreation, and museums have catapulted it to stardom, complete with a cameo in the 200th-anniversary celebration of the British attack during the War of 1812.
Source => baltimoresun.com

12. Babe Ruth's Hometown Heroics

In the land of crab cakes and Old Bay, where one might expect crustaceans to be the MVPs, a Sultan of Swat emerged to steal the show: Maryland boasts the Babe Ruth Birthplace in Baltimore, just a stone's throw from Oriole Park at Camden Yards, saved from demolition thanks to Hirsh Goldberg’s heroic run in the late 1960s, and now standing proudly as an official museum of the Baltimore Orioles, complete with championship artifacts from other winning athletes and teams.
Source => baltimore.org

13. A Flag of Reconciliation

When Maryland's flag designers wanted to prove that art can heal all wounds, they decided to give a flag-patch-therapy session a try: Maryland's state flag features the gold and black design for the Calvert family - the founders of the colony - and the red and white design for the Crossland family, important figures during the colonial period, as a symbol of unity between Union and Confederate supporters post-Civil War.
Source => patriotwood.com

14. Ocean City's Boomerang Speed Hump

Taking "speed bump" to new heights: Ocean City, Maryland is in the process of designing a boomerang-shaped speed hump to elevate a flood-prone intersection where traffic enters the resort and meets Philadelphia Avenue, complete with a retaining construction wall that gracefully rises and falls in sync with the larger-than-life hump.
Source => oceancitytoday.com

15. Black-Eyed Susan Extravaganza

In Maryland, you can "drink" your flowers and "wear" them too: The state's official flower, the Black-Eyed Susan, is not only used to create the blanket that drapes the Preakness Stakes' winner, but also lends its name to the event's signature libation. This delightful concoction is crafted with Sloop Betty vodka, Lyon Distilling light rum, triple sec, and a blend of citrus and pineapple juices, ensuring that both horses and spectators can enjoy a touch of floral flair during this prestigious Triple Crown race.
Source => visitmaryland.org

16. Live! Casino & Hotel Wonderland

Feeling lucky? Step right up to the glitzy, glamorous, and GAS-tastic world of Maryland's Live! Casino & Hotel: a dazzling wonderland that hosts over 209 ways to place a bet, 4,000 shiny machines to try your luck on, two exclusive chambers for the high-rollers among us, and even an Orchid Gaming & Smoking Patio to boot. Not only that, but this paradise is home to opulent accommodations, divine dining options, and nightlife hotter than a jalapeño-infused firecracker! Brace yourselves, folks, for a rollicking good time awaits: Live! Casino & Hotel boasts over 200 live action table games, a Poker Room, approximately 4,000 slot machines, two High Limit rooms, an Orchid Gaming & Smoking Patio, luxurious guest rooms, world-class dining, and plenty of nightly entertainment options, all while offering convenient access to free self-park and valet services.
Source => simon.com

17. The Old Bay Origin Story

In the land of crab cakes and midnight seagulls, a German-Jewish refugee decided to spice things up, quite literally: Gustav Brunn, the creator of Old Bay Seasoning, founded the Baltimore Spice Company after escaping Nazi persecution, ultimately concocting a blend of herbs and spices that have achieved regional fame in Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic states, with McCormick & Company now owning the brand and expanding its product offerings.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

18. Assateague Island's Wild Horses

While it may sound like the premise of a new animated movie, these four-legged stars are serious about their freedom: There are around 78 wild horses living in Maryland's Assateague Island, managed by the National Park Service to keep them safe and healthy, but remember to admire from afar as these hoofed heartthrobs can bite, kick, and carry diseases, so be horseshoe-inously cautious when catching a glimpse!
Source => dnr.maryland.gov

19. Morse Code Breakthrough

Before emojis and gifs had their heyday, a biblical language of dots and dashes ruled the tele-waves: Samuel F. B. Morse sent the first telegraphic message from Washington, D.C. to Baltimore on May 24, 1844, using his invention, Morse Code, revolutionizing American communication and laying the foundation for our modern telecommunications.
Source => loc.gov

20. Quantum Drama with Ana Maria Rey

Who needs telenovelas when the drama of the quantum world unfolds daily in Maryland: Physicist Ana Maria Rey, an expert in atomic, molecular, and optical physics, condensed matter physics, and quantum information science, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences and conducts research at the renowned NIST labs!
Source => nist.gov

21. Video and Film Industry Playground

Maryland: the land where video killed the radio star and Discovery Communications shed its crab shell: Despite moving their headquarters to New York in 2019, Maryland remains a lively hub for the video and film industry, with major corporations like Marriott and Lockheed Martin continuing to offer production opportunities. In fact, Silver Spring, once home to the Discovery headquarters, even landed on Amazon's top 20 list for HQ2 cities.
Source => wordwizardsinc.com