Happy Birthday, Maryland!

Today is the anniversary of Maryland's state government ratifying  the US Constitution, locking in her membership as one of our  United States of America. 

Date of Ratification:

April 28, 1788

Parentage: Founded by George Calvert, First Baron of Baltimore.

Named for Queen Henrietta Maria, wife of King Charles I of England

Place in the Family: 

Lucky Seven

right after older sister Massachusetts (Feb 1788)

but just before problem child South Carolina (May 1788)

Motto:

"Manly Deeds, Womanly Words" 

This is actually pretty cool, although I have never EVER heard it before

Nick-Name:

"The Old Line State"

WTH does *that* mean!?

State Flag

It's the family banner of the Calverts.
It is the only state flag based on an English heraldry.

I think it looks like a racing flag.

First City You Probably Think of

When You Think "Maryland":

Baltimore

Actual State Capital: Annapolis

State Size (Area) is 42nd of 50.

Population is closer to 19th of 50.

(per 2000 Census figures)

Maryland Sports:

Baseball (Baltimore Orioles)
Football (Baltimore Ravens).

Also supports next-door neighbor's sons' Hockey (Washington Capitals)

Good vs Evil

Thurgood Marshall,

first African-American Justice of the
US Supreme Court (1967-1991) 

Spiro Agnew,

Governor of Maryland (1967-69) and

Vice-President of the United States (1969-73)

Anybody From Maryland
Ever Grow Up To Be President?

Nope.

The opposite is true.

The first assassin of a US President, 

John Wilkes Booth, is from here.

TV Celebrities From Maryland:

Jim Henson,

puppeteer extraordinaire

Connie Cheung

newscaster extraordinaire

Comic Professionals From Maryland:

Bernie Wrightson

co-creator of SWAMP THING

Frank Miller

DAREDEVIL and DARK KNIGHT artist

Film Stars From Maryland: 

Goldie Hawn

Academy Award Winning Actress

Sylvester Stallone

World-Renowned Actor, Writer, Producer

Musical Marylanders:

Billie Holiday

"Lady" 

Cass Elliot

"Mama"

Maryland Literary Figures:

Edgar Allan Poe

created the modern "detective story"

Dashiell Hammett

creator of Sam Spade and The Thin Man

Historical Marylanders:

Clara Barton

founded the US Red Cross

Babe Ruth

"The Sultan of Swing"

Most Famous Marylander:

Modern Answer: Michael Phelps (aka Aquaman)

Historical Answer: Francis Scott Keye.

Everyone recognizes the National Anthem, even if they can't sing it.

A Song For You....

Here's "Good Morning, Baltimore"

from the musical HAIRSPRAY

Sung by Nikki Blonsky

Music & Lyrics by Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman