7 Surprising Firsts That Maryland Can Proudly Claim

Since becoming a state in 1788, Maryland has made impressive contributions to the world we know today. From groundbreaking inventions to historical feats, the state’s innovations have left their mark.

If you love trivia and fun facts, you’ll want to remember these Maryland “firsts.”

1. Maryland Was the First State to Dedicate a Monument to George Washington

When people hear the words Washington Monument, they instantly imagine D.C. However, the Washington Monument in Baltimore's Mount Vernon neighborhood was constructed in 1815, 33 years before the one in the capital. In fact, the state of Maryland loved the first U.S. president so much that there's even another monument honoring him at Washington Monument State Park in Boonsboro.

2. You Can Thank Maryland for Workers' Compensation

Maryland was the first state to pass what we now know as Workers' Compensation laws. According to Maryland.gov, the movement to protect workers began in 1902 as the Employer and Employee Cooperative Fund. After a few name changes and iterations, it became the Workers' Compensation Commission in 1986.

3. Maryland Is Home to the Nation's First Dental School

The Baltimore College of Dental Surgery was founded in 1840, and was the first school of its kind in the country. Today, it's known as the of the University of Maryland School of Dentistry.

4. City Magazines Got Their Start in Baltimore

Baltimore Magazine was first published in 1907 by the city's Chamber of Commerce, and is still going strong today. An impressive feat, indeed.

5. The First African-American Supreme Court Justice Was a Maryland Native

The ever-inspiring Thurgood Marshall was a lifelong Marylander who had an impactful role in American history. Born in Baltimore in 1908, he went on to become the NAACP's chief legal counsel, and argued the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case which led to the desegregation of American schools. In 1967, President Johnson nominated Marshall to the Supreme Court.

6. America's First Highway Is in Maryland

In 1811, the U.S. government began construction on The Historic National Road in Cumberland, making it the first federally funded highway. You can still drive among several parts of this historic road today.

7. And So Is the Nation's First Commercial Railroad

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was chartered in 1827, making it the United States' first commercial rail to carry people and freight. You can ride part of the railroad at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore!

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