Maryland State Flag - Maryland Themed Gifts and Apparel - Shop Maryland-gifts.com.

Top 10 Things You Didn't Know About Maryland

Maryland is one of the country's most historic and oldest states. It is a place where many great figures have lived such as Babe Ruth, Edgar Allan Poe, Harriet Tubman, Thurgood Marshall, and Frederick Douglass. This diverse state is where the first telegram was received and where the very first dental school was established.

In addition to its history, Maryland is also known for its exquisite seafood from the Chesapeake Bay. Its natural beauty is so diverse, it adopted the mane of "America in Miniature." Let's learn more about this amazing state and explore the top ten questions about Maryland.

1. Who is Maryland’s Current Governor in 2023?


Maryland's 63rd governor is Westley Watende Omari Moore who is an author, TV producer, nonprofit executive, and investment banker. As a member of the Democratic Party, Governor Moore is the state's first black governor and the only incumbent Black governor of any state in the country.

2. When Are Maryland Taxes Due?


State taxes in Maryland are due annually on July 15th. The quarterly income tax withholding returns have to be filed by the 15th day of the month after the calendar quarter that applies to those withholdings. It is customary for residents to file both their federal and state income tax returns by April 18th of each year.

Maryland is a state that allows an automatic extension as long as the federal extension is filed and there is no Maryland tax due and IRS receives the request. The extension allows a longer due date to file taxes, but the time to pay any taxes due remains the same.

3. When Did Maryland Become a State?


The United States recognizes the establishment of Maryland as a state on April 28, 1788. Maryland was the 7th state to ratify the United States Constitution after Georgia, Massachusetts, Delaware, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

The establishment of Maryland as a state started during the American Revolutionary War. It initially followed the 1776 Maryland Constitution, which served as a foundation for self-governance.

4. What is Maryland Known For?


Maryland is a historic state known for its breathtaking natural landscapes. It is where people go to experience some of the world's freshest seafood. Blue crabs are some of the state's most delicious food. Fishing is a great industry in Maryland, making the state one of the largest producers of blue crabs.

The state is also known for limestone, mining coal, natural gas, and clays. This diverse part of the country is also known for being home to Artscape, which is known as the largest free art festival in the United States. Additionally, when you visit Maryland, you can also ride on the western hemisphere's longest escalator.

5. When Was Maryland Founded?


As a Mid-Atlantic state, Maryland has a vast number of coastlines and waterways of the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is the state's largest city and is a historic site known as a major seaport. It is where the U.S. national anthem was born at Fort McHenry.

The fort is located at the entrance of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. There, you can find the Maryland Science Center and National Aquarium. In recorded history, Maryland is mentioned when European exploration started. One of the oldest recorded explorers was the Venetian John Cabot, who in 1498, arrived on the North American coastline representing the Kingdom of England.

Following European settlements, Maryland was named a colonial Province by King Charles I and granted to Sir George Calvert, who was there from 1579 to 1632. Settlement began in March of 1634 as a place where Roman Catholics had religious freedom. When settlement began, the economy thrived on tobacco.

6. When Are Maryland Blue Crabs in Season?


Maryland blue crabs are in season from April through November. The largest crabs are harvested from September to about mid-November. These months are the best when planning a visit and want to eat some of the country's most fresh and tasty seafood.

7. How Did Maryland Get Its Name?


The state of Maryland was named to honor Queen Henrietta Maria, who was on the throne in the early to mid-1600s. She was the wife of Charles I, the king of Ireland and Great Britain. He signed the 1632 charter, which established Maryland as a colony. Queen Henrietta Maria was a descendant of France's Henry IV and Marie de Medici.

8. What Time Zone is Maryland in?


The whole state of Maryland uses the generalized Eastern time zone. It is five hours behind the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT-5). It is in the same time zone as New York City and Miami.

9. Who Designed the Maryland Flag?


The people who designed the state flag of Maryland were known as the "Maryland Joint Committee of the Maryland General Assembly." They were appointed to design the flag in 1904, but their names were not mentioned. The committee included members from the Maryland House of Delegates and the Maryland Senate.

The design of the flag displays the coats of arms that belonged to the Crossland and Calvert families, the founders of Maryland. The flag follows designs from the heraldic banners that belonged to these two families with the black and gold representing the Calvert family and the white and red representing the Crosslands.

10. What is the Income Tax Rate in Maryland?


The income tax rate in Maryland for the 2021 tax year ranges from 2 to 5.75 percent depending on the amount of annual income. These rates can change and must be verified with the states' tax office.
Don't forget to Shop for Maryland Gifts at Maryland-gifts.com or visit one of our two locations in Maryland.

Enjoy the beautiful selection of some of Maryland's best souvenirs. At Maryland Gifts, you'll find special items for you to take home a piece of this wonderful state.
Back to blog