On March 25, 1634, settlers from two small sailing ships – the Ark and the Dove – landed on Maryland soil in what is now known as St. Mary’s County. In 1903, the State Board of Education chose March 25 as the day to celebrate Maryland history, naming it Maryland Day, which then became a legal holiday in 1916.
New, in 2018, we celebrate Maryland year-long with homemade craft brews like Flying Dog and Fin City, Maryland blue crabs in all of our foods, and the state flag flying on every corner and off every balcony. But March 25 is a special day, and counties and cities throughout the state will be celebrating in their own unique ways!
St. Mary’s City
Saturday, March 24 from 10am-4pm, St. Mary’s City will be celebrating with a ceremony, pageantry, and speeches. They will also offer free admission to living history and museum exhibits!
Baltimore
An exciting day of games, arts and crafts will take place at the Cylburn Arboretum on March 25 from 2-4pm. Free admission.
St. Clement’s Island
From 2-4pm on March 26, visitors can explore the St. Clement’s Island museum free of charge to celebrate the location where settlers first landed in 1634!
Annapolis and Anne Arundel County
Events celebrating Maryland’s culture and heritage will take place from April 6-8 throughout the counties. Each event, from flag raising ceremonies to farmers markets to festivals to wood chopping, is either free or a $1 admission.
We have countless reasons to continue falling in love with the state of Maryland: the wonderful flag we have on everything we own from boardshorts to beach towels to car decals; the obsession with Old Bay; the U.S. Naval Academy; the infamous one-eyed Natty Boh; the various landscapes of mountains, valleys beaches and farms… The list could go on and on.
As one of the original 13 colonies and the birthplace of “The Stars Spangled Banner,” the state brings the North and the South together, and never fails to impress.
Happy Birthday, Maryland!
