Brief History of the Maryland State Flag

The flag of Maryland is one of the most distinctive flags in the United States. It is the only state flag that bears a heraldic banner, which is a type of flag that was once used by knights in battle. The Maryland flag also has a unique and complicated history. Here’s a look at the flag’s evolution over time.

The first recorded Maryland flag was flown in 1639. This flag, which was probably created by colonists, bore the seal of St. Marvellous, the patron saint of Anne Arundel County. It is likely that this flag was flown to show support for Cecilius Calvert, 2nd Lord Baltimore, who had recently been granted a charter to colonize Maryland by King Charles I.

In 1648, an English military force seized control of Maryland from its Catholic proprietor, Lord Baltimore. For the next 25 years, the Maryland colony was governed as a royal province of England. During this time, the colony did not have an official flag. However, a number of different unofficial flags were flown by residents during this period.

In 1692, after decades of religious and political turmoil, Lord Baltimore regained control of Maryland. He soon set about instituting a number of reforms designed to make the colony more tolerant and welcoming to all faiths. One of these reforms was the creation of a new official flag for the colony.

This flag featured the arms of the Calvert family on a field of black and gold. These colors were chosen to represent Lord Baltimore’s coat of arms. The new flag quickly became popular with both colonists and Native Americans living in Maryland.

Over the next century and a half, various modifications were made to the design of the Maryland flag. In 1776, for example, suggests that British soldiers stationed in Maryland remove any reference to England from their uniforms and flags so as not to antagonize American colonists who were fighting for independence at that time . . In 1876, on the 100th anniversary of American independence from Britain, another change was made to the state’s flag when added four red-and-white quartered polygons in each corner . . . Finally, in 1904 ,the General Assembly decreed that the state’s flag should be officially standardized .

The history of the Maryland flag is long and complicated. It has undergone many changes over time, but it has always remained one of the most distinctive flags in America. Thanks to its unique design and rich history, the Maryland flag is truly one-of-a-kind.