Maryland

Maryland was the seventh state to ratify the constitution of the United States. Maryland is bordered by Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, and the Atlantic Ocean. It is bisected almost in half by the Chesapeake Bay. Maryland holds the nickname of the "Old Line State". The capital of Maryland is Annapolis, and the largest city is Baltimore.

Maryland is a state with a rich history. It was originally founded or colonized by George Calvert, 1st Lord Baltimore in the Irish House of Lords, in 1629. George Calvert colonized Maryland by the approval of Charles I. George Calvert wanted to colonize Maryland for a safe haven for Catholics in the new world. Maryland was the thirteenth colony to ratify the articles of confederation making the United States a sovereign state. In 1790 Maryland ceded land to the national government for the Capitol of the United States. This land is called Washington DC.

The port of Baltimore was protected by Fort McHenry during the war of 1812. During this bombardment of Fort McHenry the Star Spangled Banner was written by Francis Scott Key.

Maryland is a border state and during the civil war seventy seven percent of the enlistee's enlisted in the union army.

Some of the major cities in Maryland are: Annapolis, Baltimore, Rockville, Silver Springs, and Bethesda.