Maryland, the Old Line State
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Historic Baltimore City Hall - photo © Wally Gobetz on Flickr -
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The official motto of Maryland is the Italian motto of the Calvert family - "Fatti maschil, Parole femine" (loosely translated as "Strong deeds, Gentle words").
The Old Line State
The nickname for Maryland is The Old Line State. According to popular tradition, General George Washington bestowed the name "Old Line State" and thereby associated Maryland with its regular line troops (the Maryland Line) who served courageously in the American Revolution. It remains a tribute to the Maryland Line's reputation of honor, reliability, and valor.The Monumental State
In the early 17th century, Baltimore was given the nickname "The Monumental City" and this nickname was transferred over time to the state. "The Monumental City" was bestowed upon Baltimore by President John Quincy Adams in reference to the monuments he saw on his visit to the city in 1827—the Battle Monument & the Aquila Randall Monument.The Free State
Maryland was first recognized as a "Free State" on November 1, 1864. On that date, the Maryland Constitution of 1864 took effect. By its provisions, slavery within the State's borders was abolished, and Maryland, indeed, became a free state. To celebrate the emancipation, under direction of the Baltimore City Council, five hundred guns were fired, bells were rung, and flags displayed "to attest the joy of the people at their great deliverance."
Aerial America: Maryland & Delaware
Maryland was one of the thirteen colonies that revolted against British rule in the American Revolution. On February 2, 1781, Maryland became the 13th state to approve the ratification of the Articles of Confederation which brought into being the United States as a united, sovereign and national state. On April 28, 1788, it became the 7th state admitted to the U.S. after ratifying the new Constitution. In December 1790, Maryland donated land selected by President George Washington to the federal government for the creation of the new national capital of Washington, D.C.
[The thirteen colonies were: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts Bay, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island and Providence Plantations]
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| Maryland is located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Its history as a border state has resulted in the state exhibiting characteristics of both the U. S. northeastern and southeastern regions. |
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| Maryland State Flag The state flag of Maryland was officially adopted in 1904. The flag bears the arms of the Calvert and Crossland families. Calvert was the family name of the Lords Baltimore who founded Maryland, and their colors of gold and black appear in the first and fourth quarters of the flag. Crossland was the family of the mother of George Calvert, first Lord Baltimore. The red and white Crossland colors, with a cross bottony, appear in the second and third quarters. The flag first was flown on October 11, 1880 in Baltimore at a parade marking the 150th anniversary of the founding of Baltimore. It also was flown October 25, 1888, at the Gettysburg Battlefield for ceremonies dedicating monuments to Maryland regiments of the Army of the Potomac. |
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| Maryland Great Seal |
Maryland has a state dinosaur!
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Astrodon johnstoni
The Astrodon lived in Maryland during the Early Cretaceous period,
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Maryland designated the calico as the official state cat in 2001.
Its colors of orange, black, and white are shared
with the Baltimore oriole (State bird) and
the Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly (State insect).
Interesting Note:
Cats are also recognized as state symbols in Maine (Maine Coon Cat) and
in Massachusetts (Tabby Cat).
Maryland State Insect:
Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly
Maryland State Folk Dance: Square Dance
For all State Symbols of Maryland click HERE!Maryland designated the square dance as the official state folk dance in 1994. Twenty-two states have passed legislation to declare the square dance as a state symbol, and more than 30 bills have been introduced at the federal level proposing the square dance as the national (folk) dance of the United States (beginning in 1965).
Historic
Sotterley:
A
Tidewater
Legacy
Crossroads
upon America's shores
left footprints in history
never to be ignored
Born into slavery
promises of freedom
hope kept alive
amid changes in reason
Civil war battles
tore America's heart
in tumultuous times
loyalties split apart
Over land, underground
risking life for life
fairness and equality
evolved amid strife
Memories of families
within America's conflict
house ghosts and secrets
only civil war could inflict
Crossroads of war
left choices to be made
Maryland, oh, Maryland
monumental hands played
©2014 Sharla Lee Shults
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The state with the most bizarre shape! |
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