For example, do you know how Maryland got its name? The charter that Lord Baltimore received from King Charles I of England specified a name for the new colony - It was to be called Maryland to honor King Charle's wife, Queen Henrietta Maria (Queen Mary).
I also learned that Maryland has more than one nickname:
The Old Line State
This nickname is a reference to the Maryland soldiers who fought courageously in the Revolutionary War, the Maryland Line. It is said that General George Washington referred to these soldiers as "The Old Line." Maryland was the only state that had regular troops "of the line" and these soldiers were ranked among the finest and best disciplined in the army.
This nickname is sometimes given another origin that goes back further in history. It is said that Maryland is referred to as "The Old Line State" because it was the dividing line between the land grants given to William Penn and Lord Baltimore.
The Free State
This nickname originated in an article written by Hamilton Owens, the editor or the Baltimore Sun. In 1923, a Georgia Congressman, William D. Upshaw, attacked Maryland as a traitor to the union because it never passed a State enforcement act supporting Prohibition. Hamilton Owens' article, "The Maryland Free State" was a mocking response to Mr. Upshaw, suggesting that Maryland should secede from the Union before acting to prohibit the sale of liquor. This article was never published but Mr. Owens referred to Maryland as "The Free State" in later editorials.
The Cockade State
This nickname, coined during the Revolutionary War, again refers to the Maryland soldiers. According to King's Handbook of the United States, 1891, the Maryland Old Line was made up of young men who "...wore brilliant cockades". Cockades are badge-like ornaments usually worn on hats. These decorations inspired Maryland's nickname, "The Cockade State."
The Monument State
In the early 17th century, Baltimore was given the nickname of "The Monumental City" and this nickname was transferred to the state over time.
"The Monumental City" was bestowed upon Baltimore by President John Quincy Adams, probably in reference to the monuments he saw on his visit to the city in 1827. The "Battle Monument" honoring Baltimore's defensive victory in the War of 1812 was standing on the site of the old court house. Construction was under way on the first major memorial to George Washington. President Adams was also taken to North Point to view the Aquila Randall Monument erected to honor a member of the First Mechanical Volunteers of the Fifth Regiment who was killed on September 12, 1814.
At a dinner engagement, Adams thanked the citizens of Baltimore for the kind reception he had been given during his visit and proposed a toast" "Baltimore, the Monumental City--may the days of her safety be as prosperous and happy as the days of her danger have been trying and triumphant!"
The Oyster State
This nickname refers to the large oyster fisheries in the state.
The Queen State
Probably because Maryland was named after Queen Henrietta Maria, Maryland has been referred to as "The Queen State."
Here are the Maryland State Symbols:
Bird: Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula), 1947
Boat: Skipjack, 1985
Cat: Calico Cat, 2001
Crustacean: Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus Rathbun), 1989
Dinosaur: Astrodon Johnstoni Fact Sheet 12 from the Maryland Geological Survey, 1998
Dog: Chesapeake Bay Retriever, 1964
Drink: Milk, 1998
Fish: Rockfish or Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis), 1965
Flag: Find out more, 1904
Flower: Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), 1918
Folk Dance: Square Dancing, 1994
Fossil Shell: phora gardnerae gardnerae (Wilson) Fact Sheet 6 from the Maryland Geological Survey, 1994
Gem: Patuxent River Stone, 2004
Great Seal: Find out more, 1876
Horse: Thoroughbred Horse, 2003
Insect: Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly (Euphydryas phaeton), 1973
Reptile: Diamondback Terapin (Malaclemys terrapin), 1994
Song: Maryland, My Maryland". 1939
Sport: Jousting (Maryland Jousting Tournament Association), 1962
Team Sport: Lacrosse, 2004
Tree: White Oak (Quercus alba), 1941
Many more links:
· Maryland – the official website
· Annapolis - the state capital (and “sailing capital of the world”)
· Maryland Area codes
· Maryland Climate
· Maryland Geography
· Maryland’s 10 Largest Cities
· Maryland Maps
· Maryland Motto
· Maryland News
· Maryland Topography Image
· Maryland Weather Conditions
Maryland Government
· Maryland Constitution.
· Maryland Counties
· Maryland General Assembly
· Maryland Judiciary
· The Maryland State House
Maryland Services
· Maryland Birth Certificates
· Maryland Board of Elections
· Maryland Death Certificates
· Maryland Driver Licensing Information
· Maryland Libraries
· Maryland State Lottery Agency
· Maryland Marriage Certificates
· Maryland Veterans Affairs
· Maryland Vital Statistics Administration
Maryland History:
· Maryland at a Glance: Historical Chronology
· America's Story: Maryland
· Maryland History
· Marylanders in History
· Maryland Government History
· Maryland Historical Society
Maryland Economy:
Agriculture: Livestock products comprise the bulk of Maryland's farm income. Broilers (5 to 12-week-old chickens) are Maryland's leading farm product, followed by milk. Other livestock products are beef cattle, eggs, hogs and turkeys. Most of the rest of Maryland's farm income is from greenhouse and nursery products (flowers, ornamental shrubs, young fruit trees). The state's leading field crops are corn, soybeans and wheat. Other field crops are barley, hay and tobacco. The most important vegetables are sweet corn and tomatoes. Apples are the biggest fruit crop. [Find out more]
Manufacturing: Computer and electronic products (communications equipment, surveillance and navigation instruments) are Maryland's most important manufactured products. Food processing (soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, poultry products, spices, bread) ranks second. Chemical production (soaps, other cleaners, pharmaceuticals, paint) ranks third.
Services: Community, business and personal services such as private health care (doctors offices, private hospitals) and support services for business/government (computer programming, consulting, data processing, janitorial, security) lead in the services sector. Finance, insurance and real estate ranks second. Baltimore is a leading financial center in the eastern United States. Government services (operation of public schools, hospitals, military activities) is Maryland's third-ranking service industry.
Mining: Crushed stone, used in the construction industry, is the most valuable mined product of Maryland. Other mined products are limestone, marble, sand and gravel, coal, natural gas, clay, peat and portland cement
Fishing: Maryland is a leading state in the production of blue crabs. Other products are Atlantic croakers, catfish, clams, crabs, menhaden, oysters, scallops, striped bass, flounder, white perch, swordfish and tuna.
· Fishing in Maryland
· Summaries of Maryland Fishing Rules
· Fishing Licenses In Maryland
Well, that’s about all the information I can handle for one day. If you’re planning a visit to Maryland, and want more travel information, I recommend http://www.mdisfun.org/ for information published by the Maryland Office of Tourism.
Sources:
- Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S. State Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols Greenwood Press, Westport, Connecticut - 1994
- Shankle, George Earlie, Phd State Names, Flags, Seals, Songs, Birds, Flowers and Other Symbols H. H. Wilson Company, New York - 1938
- George, Christopher, John Quincy Admas and "The Monumental City," (http://www.baltimoremd.com/monuments/adams.html), October 21, 2002
- http://www.netstate.com/states/intro/md_intro.htm
For feedback or more information:
Maryland - more than you ever wanted to know!
Crofton Maryland Real Estate
Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. Margaret Woda
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