Gustav Brunn, German immigrant, rescued from a concentration camp, arrives in Baltimore in 1939 with a spice grinder. He develops a popular seafood seasoning mix, names it after a Chespeake Bay steamer, and sells the formula for Old Bay to McCormick & Co.
Gustav Brunn, German immigrant, develops Old Bay seasoning Read More »
William “Judy” Johnson finishing his 17th baseball season with the Negro League in 1937, is named the League’s best 3rd baseman. Brooks Robinson, born in 1937, finishing 23 seasons with the Orioles, is named the best 3rd baseman in Major League history.
Marylanders dominate baseball’s third base Read More »
Billie Holliday (born Eleanora Fagan and raised in Baltimore) revolutionizes the style and approach to jazz singing. She releases her first hit at 17, “Riffin’ the Scotch”, recorded with Benny Goodman in 1933.
Billie Holiday, iconic jazz vocalist Read More »
Eubie Blake creates a landmark in the history of Broadway musical theatre in 1921. Blake teams up with Noble Sissle to launch the first All African American Broadway production, Shuffle Along, which runs for 504 performances. President Reagan presents Eubie Blake with a national award.
Eubie Blake, musical pioneer in jazz and ragtime Read More »
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.
Ward Brothers are the most famous decorative decoy carvers Read More »
Methodist Preacher Charles Albert Tindley, born in Berlin, Maryland, publishes over 50 hymns including “We Shall Overcome” in 1900 and “Stand By Me.”
Charles Tindley publishes over 50 African-American spirituals Read More »
William Dorsey Swann, born enslaved in Hancock, becomes America’s first drag queen, sponsoring “drag balls” in DC. He is arrested in 1896 and serves 10 months in jail.
America’s first drag queen is born enslaved in Hancock Read More »
George Herman “Babe” Ruth is born in Baltimore in 1895 to working class German parents, During 22 seasons of major league baseball he becomes baseball’s most famous player and a cultural icon. His home runs are the longest ever recorded.
Babe Ruth born in Baltimore Read More »
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.
Enoch Pratt Free Library opens Read More »
Johns Hopkins University opens its doors in 1876 as the first US institution of higher education based on a German model emphasizing graduate education. It has produced many firsts, notably the sanitation work of Abel Wolman.
Johns Hopkins University opens 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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