Watch CBS News
Frederick Douglass was an American abolitionist who was born in Maryland and helped change the national conversation about slavery. He was born enslaved on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and learned to read and write by studying signs in Baltimore’s shipyard. Douglass eventually posed as a sailor and escaped to freedom, risking capture to tell his story.
During the 20th century, a transatlantic royal scandal played out in Baltimore. Wallis Simpson grew up among Baltimore’s social elite and was married to her second husband when she met Edward, the Duke of Windsor, and heir to the throne of England. Following the king’s death, Edward abdicated the throne to be with Simpson.
America’s first African-American Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall, got his start at a segregated public school in Baltimore. His father introduced him to the courtroom at an early age.
In 1780, during the Revolutionary War, temperatures in Maryland dropped so much that the Chesapeake Bay partially froze. The icy conditions helped one side more than the other, allowing the Patriots to surprise their opponents on ships trapped in ice.
During the Revolutionary War, Maryland farmers hauled grain, drove livestock north and delivered firewood to ensure the Continental Army was fed through the winter.
During the Revolutionary War, soldiers in Maryland wrote home about their empty stomachs and the cold weather they faced. Their letters detailed parts of the war and remind us that independence was carried on paper as much as it was on the battlefield.
On New Year’s Eve in 1778, Marylanders were fighting in the War for Independence. Soldiers stood watch as British ships arrived in the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland privateers intercepted the British supply ships.
During colonial times, years of tobacco farming depleted the nutrients in the soil of Maryland farms, so some farmers began growing potatoes and other crops. The white potato pie was created to avoid waste. It was initially ridiculed as a poor man’s dessert, but later became a Maryland classic.
The Chesapeake and Delaware Canal in Maryland was created for Baltimore merchants in need of a shortcut between the Chesapeake Bay and the Delaware River. Irish immigrants used shovels and picks to dig the 14-mile canal mostly by hand. It opened on Oct. 17, 1829, and became known as the sailors' highway. Nearly 200 years later, the canal is responsible for about 40% of Baltimore’s shipping traffic.
Maryland’s crops have contributed to generations of Thanksgiving traditions.
By the 1880s, the Chesapeake Bay supplied nearly half of the world's consumed oysters, prompting a boom of wealth, greed and violence in Maryland that lasted nearly a century. Pirates from New England sailed south and Maryland and Virginia watermen poached each other. Annapolis tried to enforce order by creating the Oyster Navy, but the Bay’s oyster population has never recovered from the Oyster Wars.
Glen Echo Park is one of Maryland’s most cultural and historic landmarks. In 1888, an inventor bought the land to build an education resort, which later hosted the Chautauqua Assembly, where families gathered for lectures and entertainment. It later evolved into an amusement park, adding rides, including the famous Dentzel Carousel. In 1960, civil rights groups campaigned to desegregate the park.
Harriet Tubman, a Marylander known for freeing slaves, was also a veteran. Disguised as a farm hand or an old woman, she scouted southern plantations to create a spy ring that gathered intel for the Union army. In 1863, she became the first woman in the nation’s history to lead an armed military operation.
Writer Edgar Allen Poe was born in Boston, but his final days played out in Baltimore. He died days after being found delirious on a city street. His death was followed by whispers of curses and an anonymous visitor at his grave.
In the early 20th century, the town of Warren, Maryland, had nearly 1,000 residents. However, the growing city of Baltimore needed drinking water. A deal was made to flood the town, submerge buildings, and create a reservoir. Now, the town is known as Loch Raven.
A knife-wielding man was shot and killed by officers early Sunday in Howard County, according to police.
A fleet of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicles has reportedly arrived at a Maryland facility that some lawmakers are fighting to prevent from being used as a mass detention center.
Marylanders are reacting to the United States and Israel's military strike on Iran.
Temperatures will rebound back to above normal readings later this week
A proposed plan by Maryland lawmakers could raise the state's minimum wage up to $25, up from $15. The Living Wage For All Act would increase the pay by 2030 while eliminating the tip credit.
Marylanders are reacting to the United States and Israel's military strike on Iran.
The Ravens said they "clearly made an error" and won't appeal the ruling.
A Howard County Police officer responded to a call last weekend that really got his goat.
Chilly night ahead with some frost possible west of I-95. Warmer weather returns this weekend.
Storm threat continues Thursday with high heat added to the mix too during the afternoon.
Samaritan’s Feet and CIAA in partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools, is distributing pairs of shoes to students at Hilton Elementary School.
Day cares, salons, restaurants, and other community-based businesses can sign up to host a Baltimore City YouthWorker this summer. The deadline to apply is March 20, 2026.
The Baltimore County Police Department Community Partnership Academy invites residents to step inside, ask questions, and learn how community policing works in real life.
Baltimore’s Station North Arts District announces the first floor gallery at Area 405, one of the city’s most vital creative hubs, will be named The Dr. Leslie King Hammond Gallery, after the Baltimore art historian and educator.
WJZ talked to Lance Moore, owner of Baltimore’s Heavy Paper Company, to talk about sourcing wood from Camp Small.
Baltimore Orioles top prospect Samuel Basallo left a game Thursday because of right side abdominal discomfort after the catcher made a sweeping tag for an out at the plate.
Through a sudden death overtime goal, the U.S. men's hockey team is golden over Canada.
Music performers Nelly and Vanilla Ice will be headlining the Birdland Summer Music Series following two Baltimore Orioles games this season at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Baltimore Orioles third baseman Jordan Westburg has been unable to take part in spring training after a right oblique injury during the offseason, and it was unclear Thursday whether an elbow issue was also keeping him off the field.
Declan Doyle's relationship with Lamar Jackson began during an interview for the Baltimore Ravens' offensive coordinator position.
CBS News has learned that the casualties occurred among American personnel based in Kuwait.
Marylanders are reacting to the United States and Israel's military strike on Iran.
President Trump posted on social media that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed after a massive U.S. and Israeli military operation Saturday.
Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham said the operation would be "violent, extensive and I believe, at the end of the day, successful."
President Trump says his objective in attacking Iran "is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats" from the regime in Tehran. Read his full statement and watch the video here.
Nearly 200 families were expected to shop at the 10th annual Christmas Store, hosted by the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and The Foundry Church on Friday.
After a loved one became a victim of sexual assault, a Maryland family is on a mission to prevent it among teens.
Over 400 future star chefs took over Baltimore on Saturday for a National Culinary Cook-off.
Chopped Broadway Bodega & Deli is making its mark as the first Black- and women-owned bodega in Fells Point, bringing the unmistakable flavors of a classic New York bodega to Baltimore.
'I Believe in Me Girls' held its fifth annual workshop on Saturday to empower young women while introducing them to a variety of career opportunities in the creative industry.
Senator Kagan said this bill will limit what she calls "bait and switch" and price gouging.
The Maryland Department of Emergency Management increased the State Activation Level from Normal to Partial on Friday morning in response to a Microsoft outage that has paralyzed systems worldwide.
Neighbors in one west Baltimore neighborhood are figuring out what to do for groceries, due to the Giant Food location in Edmondson Village closing next month.
A string of recalls connected to Wisconsin-based supplier Schreiber Foods has now extended to Aldi stores after similar recalls at Hy-Vee and other grocery chains.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is asking to move marijuana to Schedule III, alongside ketamine and some anabolic steroids
New flights to both U.S. and Caribbean destinations are coming to BWI in 2026.
After three decades of serving customers on the Baltimore waterfront, The Cheesecake Factory is closing its Inner Harbor location.
The company voluntarily issued the recall on September 23.
The Baltimore Tech Hub, one of 31 federal "Tech Hubs" designated last year, was skipped for a cut of $504 million in the first round of funding for the program.
Primanti Bros. on Tuesday announced plans to expand to the Baltimore region this spring.
Mixed nuts from Ohio-based Mellace Family Brands sold at some Wegmans stores could be tainted with Salmonella, FDA warns.
The company voluntarily issued the recall on September 23.
With open enrollment starting soon, employees could get sticker shock, with their costs expected to rise 6% to 7% for 2026, a new study says.
After WJZ shed light on a rat infestation plaguing one Towson community, Baltimore County officials say they are now taking action.
Recalled supplemental shakes were distributed to hospitals and long-term care facilities nationwide, federal officials say.
Bobby J. Brown's breakout role was as a police officer on HBO's "The Wire." He appeared in 12 episodes across four seasons.
Bad Bunny took the stage at halftime for the 2026 Super Bowl. Here's who else performed at Super Bowl 60.
Music's biggest night returned Sunday with the 68th annual Grammy Awards. Here is how to watch and stream and what to know.
James Ransone, the actor who played Ziggy Sobotka in the HBO series "The Wire" and appeared in many other TV shows and movies, has died.
Director Rob Reiner and wife, Michele, were found dead in their Los Angeles home, sources told CBS News, in what police called an apparent homicide.
Up-and-down temperatures this week in Maryland
Colder air is expected to return to Maryland at the start of this week.
Temperatures will rebound back to above normal readings later this week
Greg Padgett has your Saturday evening forecast | 2/28/2026
WJZ Weekend Weather Update
Up-and-down temperatures this week in Maryland
Baltimore's Kennedy Krieger Institute sports program gives athletes chance to compete
Watchdog group says ICE vehicles moved to Maryland town
Man killed by officers in Howard County after refusing to drop knife, police say
This week on Purple Playbook, WJZ Sports Director Alex Glaze and two-time Super Bowl Champion Torrey Smith break down the latest Lamar Jackson and Tyler Linderbaum contract news and explain what it all means for the Ravens’ future. With it being NFL Combine week, all eyes are on Baltimore’s 14th overall pick. Should the Ravens go best player available? Target offensive line help? Add another weapon? Torrey gives his thoughts on what Baltimore should do on draft night. #NFL #NFL News #Ravens #RavensFlock #Lamar Jackson