Carla Hayden heads the country’s oldest federal institution, The Library of Congress, in 2019. She is the first professional librarian, first woman and first African American in the post. Previously she directed the Enoch Pratt in Baltimore for 13 years.
Carla Hayden becomes the Librarian of Congress Read More »
Janice Hayes-Williams honors the memory of the anonymous African American mental patients buried at the Crownsville Hospital for the Negro Insane, founded in 1911.
Unknown Black mental patients buried at Crownsville Hospital are honored Read More »
The American Visionary Art Museum opens its doors in 1995. It is unique, the first of its kind, bringing work from untrained artists to the public in a new an engaging way.
American Visionary Art Musuem Read More »
Baltimore native Reginald Lewis, first African American to build a $1 billion corporation, creates a foundation in 1987. In 2002 it provides major support in creating the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History and Culture.
Entrepreneur Reginald F. Lewis creates foundation Read More »
Popular early 20th century author Sophie Kerr creates the largest U.S. literary prize for an undergraduate at Washington College in 1965.
Sophie Kerr Literary Prize created Read More »
Thurgood Marshall, Maryland’s most famous lawyer, wins Brown vs. Board of Education case, desegregating public schools. Appointed by President Lyndon Johnson as the first African American to the Supreme Court in 1976, Marshall serves 24 years.
Thurgood Marshall wins Brown vs. Board of Education case in 1954 Read More »
“Columbia, Maryland, is the best place to raise a family in the country.” Jim Rouse creates a carefully planned city for “joyous living” in 1967.
Fashion designer Claire McCardell, featured on the cover of Time in 1955, is the successful creator everyday easy-to-wear clothing for women.
Claire McCardell, fashion designer of modern women’s sportwear Read More »
When the Chesapeake Bay Bridge is built in 1952, it is the longest continuous steel span in the country.
Chesapeake Bay Bridge, longest single span bridge over water Read More »
Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman living in Baltimore, unknowingly becomes a major contributor to medical research after her death in 1951.
Henrietta Lacks creates medical history Read More »
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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