The “Jew Bill” is passed by the Maryland General Assembly, shepherded through the legislative process by a Christian, Thomas Kennedy of Hagerstown. Kennedy promotes this bill for several years before its passage as the first recognition of Jewish rights in the U.S.
It gives Jewish men all the rights of citizenship equal to Christians and quickly results in two Jewish businessmen, Jacob I. Cohen, Jr. and Solomon Etting, being elected to the Baltimore City Council.
In 1886 the Pratt Library is the first public library to open for all “without distinction of race or color”. The Pratt inspires the nationwide Carnegie Library system.
Lemuel T. Ward and Steven W. Ward, barbers in Crisfield, carve realistic decoys to make extra money. They begin full time carving of realistic birds in the 1950s, turning it into a art form.
Wes Moore’s leadership marks a first for Maryland.
We acknowledge the enduring presence of many American Indian tribes who once lived in Maryland and who now, having lost their lands, live in a diaspora. Read more.
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