Star Spangled Stories - Maryland 250
Star Spangled Stories: How Maryland’s crops built Thanksgiving traditions
Maryland’s crops have contributed to generations of Thanksgiving traditions.
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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.
Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay has dozens of historic lighthouses, including the Thomas Shoal Lighthouse, built in 1875. The lighthouse served as a navigation tool and a lifeline for trade, travel and fishing communities along Maryland’s waterways. The lighthouse was automated in 1964 and is now run by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the U.S. and has shaped Maryland’s identity with its rich natural resources and cultural heritage. In 1608, Captain John Smith led the first voyages through the bay. During the War of 1812, the Chesapeake Bay was a crucial location for American and British troops.
Maryland was the seventh state to join the Union, but it still has a legacy of innovation. In 1811, the first major federal highway — the Historic National Road — started in Cumberland. In 1828, the nation’s first umbrella factory opened in Baltimore, and in 1840, two dentists established the world’s first dental school, the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery.
In 1845, the U.S. needed a professional naval force to protect its interests. With no money from Congress, Secretary of the Navy George Bancroft transformed Fort Severn in Annapolis, Maryland, into the U.S. Naval Academy. The institution began with 50 midshipmen that year. But since then, the Naval Academy has trained thousands.
In February 1862, Abraham Lincoln traveled from Illinois to Washington, D.C. While in Baltimore, the former president’s head of security discovered a plot to ambush Lincoln at Camden Station. Lincoln disguised himself as the brother of a detective to escape the potential threat on his life.
The Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad was the first steam-powered train system in the U.S. Opening in 1830, the 13-mile track connected Baltimore to Ellicott City before expanding by the 1970s to 4,000 miles across 13 states. The B&O Railroad was instrumental in ushering the U.S. into the industrial age and a new era of growth. The history of the railroad lives on at the B&O Railroad Museum.
Located at the mouth of the Susquehanna River in Maryland, the city of Havre De Grace almost became the political center of the United States. After the Revolutionary War, Congress almost chose the city as the country’s permanent seat of government due to its location midway between the northern and southern states. Havre De Grace missed becoming the political center by just a few votes.
In the 1770s, Baltimore served as the capital of the United States. During the American Revolution, the British captured New York City. To avoid capture, the Second Continental Congress evacuated from Philadelphia — which was then the capital of the U.S. — and temporarily moved to Baltimore, where they met in the Henry Fite House for three months. The move gave George Washington’s army time to regroup and was a turning point in the war.
Shortly after the United States declared independence, King George sent his Red Coats to invade Long Island. Outnumbered, General George Washington retreated, as troops in Pennsylvania and Delaware failed to protect the escape route. A few 100 Maryland men held the line. Less than a dozen survived. Those men gained the name The Maryland 400, and Maryland was labeled as The Old Line State.
Light snow is expected to fall across much of the state Friday morning.
A group of advocates in Maryland is renewing calls for the "long-overdue" legalization of beer and wine sales in grocery stores.
Maryland House Speaker Adrienne Jones is stepping down from her position, our partners at The Baltimore Banner reported Thursday, citing three sources who are familiar with the decision.
Multiple investigations are underway after Baltimore County Police shot and killed a man while responding to a stabbing at an Essex apartment building on Wednesday night.
The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (MDPSCS) says it is fixing a heating system issue in the Youth Detention Center in Baltimore City.
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.
Drought conditions in Maryland have improved after several rounds of wet weather in May.
Boumi Shriners held their third annual FEZtival of Trees in Baltimore.
Black Barn Alpacas in Maryland will host "Fleece" Navidad in Finksburg.
WJZ is at BLK Swan in Baltimore to learn about the return of their Jazz Brunch event.
Martin's West in Maryland has the secret to the best Thanksgiving mac and cheese.
WJZ is at the Christmas Village in Baltimore to see what new offerings they have.
Lamar Jackson and Aaron Rodgers — six MVPs between them — have remarkably never faced each other. It's finally happening this weekend.
The Baltimore Ravens extended tight end Mark Andrews' contract by three more years, the team announced on Wednesday.
Reliever Ryan Helsley and the Baltimore Orioles finalized a $28 million, two-year contract on Monday, a deal that includes a player option for 2027.
Joe Burrow threw two touchdown passes, and the Bengals snapped Baltimore's five-game winning streak with a 32-14 win over the fumble-prone Ravens.
Olympic Gold medalist and Maryland native Quincy Wilson has committed to the University of Maryland's Track and Field Program, Head Coach Andrew Valmon announced.
Authorities say the FBI has arrested a man suspected of placing pipe bombs outside RNC and DNC headquarters on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
The Trump administration on Friday directed officials to pause all asylum decisions in the wake of the shooting of two National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C.
"Any document signed" by Biden with an autopen "is hereby terminated," President Trump said.
A National Guard member died in the wake of the shooting near the White House, President Trump said.
Federal immigration authorities said Wednesday they have paused processing requests from Afghan nationals, after a man from Afghanistan was identified as the suspect in the D.C. National Guard shooting.
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.
Every Saturday morning inside St. John's United Methodist Church of Charles Village, AHF's Food for Health Pantry provides free groceries for the community.
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
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.
CVS is closing dozens of pharmacies inside Target stores in 2024 as the store and other retail pharmacy chains face increasing difficulties.
The wildly popular chicken finger joint opened its doors Tuesday at the Snowden River Shopping Center.
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.
Small slivers of smoke can still be seen from the fire at the Owl Metals Recycling Facility Friday afternoon.
A Maryland ticket broker is accused of illegally purchasing and reselling hundreds of thousands of tickets for profit, including thousands to Taylor Swift's highly-sought Eras Tour.
Paramount Global and Skydance Media agreed to merge last year.
CBS will end "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" and retire "The Late Show" franchise in May 2026, the company announced Thursday.
Grammy-winning R&B stars Brandy and Monica announced their 24-city arena tour on "CBS Mornings."
The AFRAM Festival in Baltimore is a celebration of African American culture, a music experience and a foodie paradise.
Temperatures tumbling, snow possible in Maryland
Cold with chance of snow Friday in Maryland
Marylanders can expect to see some snowfall during the morning commute on Friday.
Cold remains locked in-place, with an occasional chance of wintry weather.
WJZ-TV meteorologist Steve Sosna has your latest weather forecast.
Florida man told BWI Airport employee he had explosive device causing evacuation
Maryland gears up for bitter cold, and snow
Temperatures tumbling, snow possible in Maryland
Baltimore leaders tout ROCA's success in the community
Family wants answers after man was shot by police during stabbing response in Essex