Spiro Theodore Agnew (b. 1918) Vice President of the United States under Richard Nixon from 1969-1973. Governor of Maryland (1966).
Rachel Louise Carson (1907-1964) Naturalist, biologist, and science writer, popularly known for her 1951 book The Sea Around Us. She was affiliated with Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.
Frederick Douglass (1817-1895) An escaped slave and powerful abolitionist, statesman, and social reformer. Born Tuckahoe, Maryland.
Francis Scott Key (1779-1843) Poet who wrote the U.S. national anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner," after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry, Maryland during the War of 1812.
Henry Louis Mencken (1880-1956) Journalist, critic, and editor; co-founder of the American Mercury and author of commentary collections on American life and language. Born Baltimore, Maryland.
William Pinkney (1764-1822) Maryland United States Senator and diplomat who was instrumental in the passage of the Missouri Compromise of 1820.
"Babe" Ruth (b. George Herman Ruth, 1895-1948) Baseball Hall of Fame Player; all-time home run hitter until surpassed by Hank Aaron in 1974; played for the Boston Red Sox, the New York Yankees, and the Boston Braves. Born Baltimore, Maryland.
Upton Sinclair (1878-1968) Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and social reformer; wrote The Jungle and Dragon's Teeth. Born Baltimore, Maryland.
Harriet Tubman (c. 1820-1913) Escaped slave, a "conductor" of the Underground Railroad, and leading abolitionist. Born Dorchester County, Maryland.
Fascinating Fact
In 1791 Maryland gave a gift to the nation by ceding 174 sq. km. (67 sq. mi.) along the Potomac for the construction of Washington D.C.
Maryland adopted its state flag in 1904. The coat of arms of the Lords Baltimore unites in the flag symbols of the Calvert and Crossland families. Maryland has used similar flags since at least 1638.
