| A short
history of the Maryland State flag |
Maryland has a flag
based on European heraldic tradition, and comprised of elements
of the arms of the Crosslands and Calverts. The first state seal
which on the front showed a mounted knight in medieval Calvert-Crossland
full armour, was how the flag was derived. On the reverse side
was the quartered shield of Calvert and Crossland, together with
supporters, crown, a helmet, and mottos on a scroll and around
the rim. This seal was used until 1776, and then it was revived
in 1876. The arms of the Crosslands are red and white quarters
with a central counterchanged cross with buttons at the end of
the arm. The arms of the Calvert are six vertical bands of yellow
and black, with a counterchanged diagonal running from the top
left to the bottom right. The state flag was officially adopted
in 1904. |
| A short
history of Maryland (The Old Line State) |
In 1767, Dixon
and Mason established its boundary with Pennsylvania on a famous
line (the Mason-Dixon Line). They were the Proprietors and ruled
Maryland until the state was formed in 1776. On April 28, 1788
it ratified the U.S. Constitution. |
| Area
of Maryland |
10,460 sq. miles |
Capital
|
Annapolis |
| Major
Products |
Dairy products,
poultry, coal, cement, electrical and electronic equipment, processed
food, tourism |
| State
Motto |
Scuto bonae voluntatis
Tuae coronasti nos ("With the shield of Thy goodwill Thou
hast covered us") |
