Theophilus Thompson, African American chess master
An African American teen, born enslaved, becomes a nationally recognized chess champion in 1872 in Frederick.
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Frederick County
First use of genetic genealogy at Catoctin Furnace
The first use of DNA links 27 Black workers buried in the local cemetery of the Catoctin Furnace (c1800) and reveals links to nearly 42,000 living relatives, and traces the enslaved back to their African origins.
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Elizabeth Seton, first person born in U.S. to become a saint
Elizabeth Ann Seton, born 1774, becomes first person born in US canonized as Catholic Saint in 1975.
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Claire McCardell, fashion designer of modern women’s sportwear
Fashion designer Claire McCardell, featured on the cover of Time in 1955, is the successful creator everyday easy-to-wear clothing for women.
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Military Intelligence Center, Fort Detrick and Camp David are created by the emergency of WWII
The Ritchie Boys, trained in Maryland in 1942, are an important secret weapon for the allies in World War II. Exiled European Jews are trained in intelligence for the allies. They interrogate prisoners, interpret, translate and read code.
Battle of Monocacy saves Washington
The Battle of Monocacy in 1864 saves the National Capital. Confederate Forces defeat Unionists, but after being delayed they are forced to retreat. This is the most northern victory of the Confederacy.
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Maryland soldiers from both North and South fight at the Battle of Front Royal
Soldiers from both North and South units fight at the Battle of Front Royal. in 1861, pictured. A year later they engage again at Gettysburg. These are the only times in US military history that regiments with the same designations from the same state engage in combat.
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Hospital No.1 in Frederick sees action every day of the Civil War
Hospital No. 1 in Frederick becomes most innovative hospital in caring for large numbers of wounded during the duration of Civil War, 1861-5.
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Marylander Roger B. Taney hands down the Dred Scott decision.
Roger Taney, Maryland native and Supreme Court Chief Justice, delivers 7-2 opinion in 1857, in the Dred Scott case, declaring that Blacks in the US are not considered citizens nor entitled to government protection, and that Congress cannot prohibit slavery. The decision becomes a major factor leading to the Civil War.
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Governor Thomas Holliday Hicks preserves Maryland from secession
Governor Thomas Hicks, slave owner, Know Nothing and anti-secessionist, moves the Maryland Assembly in 1861 to Frederick and leads them to vote against secession. The vote ensures that the national capital is not surrounded by Confederate States.
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