Josiah Henson, born in Port Tobacco, escapes slavery, leads a community and learns to read and write. He becomes the model for the title character in Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a nationally popular anti-slavery story published in 1852.
“Uncle Tom” is based on a Marylander Read More »
Poet Edgar Allan Poe dies mysteriously in Baltimore in 1849. He is found on an election day, presumably drunk, taken to a hospital where he dies three days later. His monument and tomb are in downtown Baltimore.
Edgar Allan Poe dies in Baltimore Read More »
James W.C. Pennington, born enslaved in Queen Anne’s County, publishes the first history of African Americans in the US in 1841.
James C. Pennington, publishes “The Origins and History of Colored People” Read More »
David Acheson Woodward invents an enlarging camera in 1857 that focuses sunlight through a lens onto sensitized photographic paper. Woodward is principal of what becomes Maryland Institute College of Art. MICA produces two prominent Maryland artists, Joyce J. Scott and Amy Sherald.
Baltimore’s Battle monument, designed by Maximilian Godefroy, is the first stone monument and the first public war memorial in the US. In 1822 the statue of Lady Baltimore is hoisted atop the monument.
Battle Monument in Baltimore is the first public war memorial Read More »
Baltimore’s Washington Monument is the first erected in 1815 and dedicated to George Washington. The second, more modest Washington Monument is built by Revolutionary War veterans on South Mountain overlooking Boonsboro in 1826.
The Washington Monuments in Maryland are first in the country Read More »
Ft. McHenry endures bombardment and saves Baltimore from being burned. The “Star Spangled Banner” is written on September 14, 1814
Rembrandt Peale opens the first purpose-built museum in the US in August, 1814. As a fine arts gallery, it is short-lived, becoming city hall, a school for “colored” children, city water offices and now Baltimore’s Community Museum.
Rembrandt Peale builds the first museum Read More »
Mary Pickersgill with others creates a 30′ x 42′ flag in 1813 and delivers it to the Ft. McHenry garrison. It becomes THE Banner.
Mary Pickersgill sews the flag that becomes the Star Spangled Banner Read More »
Joshua Johnson, manumitted in 1782 by his father, is the first professional Black artist. He teaches himself to paint, producing portraits of elite families in a distinctive folk art style.
Joshua Johnson, first recognized professional Black portrait painter 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.
© 2023 MARYLAND 400
