Maryland became the 7th state in 1788 and is the 19th largest state by population with about 6 million residents. It is also the 42nd largest state by land and water area with a total area of 12,407 square miles. Maryland is home to Baltimore, the state's largest city, which is also the nation's 20th largest city with a population of approximately 630,000 people.
In the early to mid 1600's, Maryland, as a colony, was named Maryland for Queen Henrietta Maria, wife of Charles I.
Included below are more facts and symbols, a state map, the state song and views of the Maryland State Quarter.
Maryland State Capital - Annapolis
State Nickname - The “Old Line State” and the “Free State”
State Motto - "Fatti Maschii, Parole Femine”
(Manly Deeds, Womanly Words)
State Flower - Black-eyed Susan
State Tree - White Oak
State Bird - Baltimore Oriole
State Fish - Rockfish (Striped Bass)
State Horse - Thoroughbred Horse
State Dog - Chesapeake Bay Retriever
State Cat - Calico Cat
State Insect - Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly
State Reptile - Diamondback Terrapin
State Dinosaur - Astrodon Johnstoni
State Crustacean - Blue Crab
State Fossil Shell - Ecphora Gardnerae Gardnerae (Wilson)
State Gemstone - Patuxent River Stone
State Sport - Jousting
State Team Sport - Lacrosse
State Exercise - Walking
State Boat - Skipjack
State Folk Dance - Square Dance
State Beverage - Milk
State Dessert - Smith Island Cake
Official State Web Site - www.maryland.gov
(Click or tap for a larger view)
Maryland, My Maryland
I
The despot's heel is on thy shore,
Maryland!
His torch is at thy temple door,
Maryland!
Avenge the patriotic gore
That flecked the streets of Baltimore,
And be the battle queen of yore,
Maryland! My Maryland!
II
Hark to an exiled son's appeal,
Maryland!
My mother State! to thee I kneel,
Maryland!
For life and death, for woe and weal,
Thy peerless chivalry reveal,
And gird thy beauteous limbs with steel,
Maryland! My Maryland!
III
Thou wilt not cower in the dust,
Maryland!
Thy beaming sword shall never rust,
Maryland!
Remember Carroll's sacred trust,
Remember Howard's warlike thrust,-
And all thy slumberers with the just,
Maryland! My Maryland!
IV
Come! 'tis the red dawn of the day,
Maryland!
Come with thy panoplied array,
Maryland!
With Ringgold's spirit for the fray,
With Watson's blood at Monterey,
With fearless Lowe and dashing May,
Maryland! My Maryland!
V
Come! for thy shield is bright and strong,
Maryland!
Come! for thy dalliance does thee wrong,
Maryland!
Come to thine own anointed throng,
Stalking with Liberty along,
And chaunt thy dauntless slogan song,
Maryland! My Maryland!
VI
Dear Mother! burst the tyrant's chain,
Maryland!
Virginia should not call in vain,
Maryland!
She meets her sisters on the plain-
"Sic semper!" 'tis the proud refrain
That baffles minions back again,
Maryland!
Arise in majesty again,
Maryland! My Maryland!
VII
I see the blush upon thy cheek,
Maryland!
For thou wast ever bravely meek,
Maryland!
But lo! there surges forth a shriek,
From hill to hill, from creek to creek-
Potomac calls to Chesapeake,
Maryland! My Maryland!
VIII
Thou wilt not yield the Vandal toll,
Maryland!
Thou wilt not crook to his control,
Maryland!
Better the fire upon thee roll, Better the blade, the shot, the bowl,
Than crucifixion of the soul,
Maryland! My Maryland!
IX
I hear the distant thunder-hum,
Maryland!
The Old Line's bugle, fife, and drum,
Maryland!
She is not dead, nor deaf, nor dumb-
Huzza! she spurns the Northern scum!
She breathes! she burns! she'll come! she'll come!
Maryland! My Maryland!
United States Mint 50 State Quarters© Program coin:
(United States Mint Images)
US State Facts © MCGWDD