Baltimore History, Maryland

Baltimore History – The Foundation of Baltimore

Baltimore is the capital of Baltimore County and the largest city in Maryland. It’s hard to find an American city whose history is as rich and as important in the foundation of the United States as Baltimore history. Across its three centuries of existence, Baltimore was known under several nicknames, such as “The City of Firsts”, “B-more”, “Charm City”, “Mob Town” or “Ravenstown”. The first settlers arrived in the area as early as the 17th century. In 1706, Baltimore’s Whetstone Point was officially recognized as a commercial port, playing an important role in Maryland’s main industry – the trade of tobacco. In 1729, a town was founded near the harbor, and was named “Baltimore” in order to honor the Irish Lord Baltimore, one of the founding fathers of Maryland.

Baltimore History – Baltimore in the 19th Century

Baltimore played a crucial role in the War of 1812: the Battle of Baltimore inspired a local lawyer to compose a poem named “The Star-Spangler Banner”. With a melody composed by John Stafford Smith, the poem became the US National Anthem in 1931. After the war, Baltimore communication routes were improved and diversified with the construction of the Erie Canal, the National Road and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. These important investments brought along a significant labor force and boosted Baltimore’s economy: new waves of immigrants helped Baltimore to become a leading manufacturing and shipping centre on the East Coast. Unfortunately, most of the new buildings and monuments were destroyed in 1904 by a catastrophic fire, when a new architectural plan had to be drawn. The fast developing economy of Baltimore was the cause of several riots, with ‘The Great Railroad Strike of 1877’ being the bloodiest (10 protestors were killed and 25 wounded by the US troops).

Baltimore History – Contemporary Baltimore

In the 20th century, Baltimore’s history and economy were marked by phenomena like the Civil Right Movement, immigration, suburbanization and, of course, the two World Wars. During the wars, Baltimore flourished as a ship-building center and became a strategic point in the war-supply process. The Baltimore Riot of 1868, a consequence of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. caused some serious material damages. In the recent decades, important governmental founds have been invested in Baltimore’s infrastructure, economy and social development. Several historic monuments and buildings have been restored, not to forget the recent construction of Oriole Park and National Aquarium, which brought Baltimore in the tourist business. Baltimore is also in the proximity of major American cities like Washington, DC and Philadelphia.

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