Prepare to have your mind blown with these 12 wild facts about Maryland that might just make you view the Old Line State in a wholly different light. Let's get into it.
- The state flower of Maryland is the Black-eyed Susan. The Black-eyed Susan is a bright yellow flower with a dark center that often grows in fields and along roadsides.
- The Baltimore Ravens got their name from the poem The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe, who lived in Baltimore for a time. Their mascot, a raven named Poe, is also named after the famous author.
- One of Maryland's nicknames is the "Free State." It originally got this name in 1864, when slavery was abolished in the state.
- Another one of Maryland's nicknames is "the Old State Line". This name came about during the American Revolution, due to Maryland's troops' pivotal role in the Battle of Long Island.
- Maryland has also been referred to as "America in Miniature," due to its diverse geography. The state includes everything from beaches, farmland, mountains, and cities.
- The world's first dental school was established in Baltimore in 1840. It is now known as the University of Maryland School of Dentistry.
- The official sport of Maryland is jousting, a form of medieval combat, often on horseback.
- "Fatti maschii, parole femine" is the state motto of Maryland. This Italian proverb essentially translates into English as "strong deeds, gentle words."
- Maryland is one of only six U.S. states to have a state crustacean. The Maryland Blue Crab was designated as the state crustacean in 1989.
- The National Aquarium, continuously ranked as one of the nation's top aquariums, is located in Baltimore, Maryland. It houses many thousands of animals and hundreds of species.
- Maryland was home to the first-ever public railway in the United States. The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad was completed in 1830.
- Maryland has its own version of the Loch Ness Monster—Chessie, a sea serpent reportedly spotted in the Chesapeake Bay. There are many theories surrounding what these sightings could really be. Whatever may or may not lurk in the bay waters, the legend of Chessie lives on in Maryland folklore.
So there you have it, 12 interesting and lesser-known facts about Maryland. Next time you visit or pass through this charming state, remember these fun facts and impress your friends! Who knows, maybe you'll even spot Chessie while you're at.
