May Brings Warm Weather and Many Maryland Firsts
During the month of May, Maryland had a historic role throughout the last 250 years, documented in our Maryland Mosaic.
Highlights from the Mosaic
In 1811, the United States Congress passed legislation creating the National Road, the very first federal project. It stretches west from Cumberland, linking up with our state’s road to Baltimore. Representatives of the National Road Museum will present on the Enoch Pratt’s “Lunch and Learn” program on July 9 at 1 pm. Learn more information about the event here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lunch-learn-the-national-road-from-washingtons-vision-to-a-museum-tickets-1989550943429.
In 1823, Maryland Catholics opened the Baltimore Basilica, one of the first cathedrals in the United States. The magnificent structure, still standing and celebrated in Baltimore, is a great architectural marvel. The public is invited to visit on weekday mornings and all day on weekends. Guided tours are offered Wednesday and Friday, 9 am-12 pm.
In 1870, 20,000 African American Marylanders gathered for Fifteenth Amendment Parade and Celebration. This amendment gave all men the right to vote and prohibited the government from denying voting rights “on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” Unfortunately, Maryland doesn’t ratify the amendment until the 1970s.
In 1954, the United States Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education desegregates American schools. Maryland lawyer Thurgood Marshall opens the door to the modern civil rights movement.
In 1955, fashion designer Claire McCardell is featured on the cover of Time Magazine. A revolutionary designer for women, Frederick-born McCardell has recently received the attention she deserves with an exhibit at the Maryland Center for History and Culture, an award-winning biography, and a statue overlooking downtown Frederick.
You can find descriptions of all these and several other May firsts at our Maryland Mosaic website: www.marylandmosaic.org.
The Liberty Tree Project
An official 250th event came to Baltimore on May 14. The Liberty Tree Project is traveling to every county and Baltimore City to plant a seedling from the original 18th century Liberty Tree that stood for almost two centuries on the grounds of St. Johns College in Annapolis. Liberty Trees were in all the colonies in the 1770’s; many gatherings of newly formed patriots took place beneath their branches. Although the old tree was destroyed by a storm, its seedlings are being planted throughout the state as a reminder of an important symbol during the American Revolution.
The planting of Baltimore’s own Liberty Tree was in Druid Hil Park, sponsored by Preservation Maryland and the Maryland Center for History and Culture. For more information and upcoming dates about the Liberty Tree Project, check the Preservation Maryland website here: https://preservationmaryland.org/libertytree/.
Let the Maryland Mosaic know what you are up to during this 250th anniversary year! Send information about your event to: info@marylandmosaic.org.