Maryland Celebrates Our Nation’s 250th Birthday!
Maryland’s Story is America’s Story
This July 4, the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of its independence. Maryland played a pivotal role in the Revolutionary War and the early years of nationhood. Fort Frederick State Park is one of many public lands in Maryland where visitors can see that history come to life.
Originally built as a stone fort during the French and Indian War, the site became a prisoner-of-war camp for British soldiers captured by American troops and militiamen at major battles in the war for independence. Watch the video about Fort Frederick’s events and history.
Visitors today can celebrate our history at Fort Frederick or one of numerous other historic sites on Maryland public lands.
Celebrate America 250 at Maryland State Parks with Fun Events Planned All Weekend.
Maryland parks are hosting a variety of special events to mark the nation’s 250th birthday celebration, including a tree planting, bike parade, historical reenactments, and kids crafts. With parks open on Independence Day, Marylanders can start a new tradition by hiking, learn more about our nation’s history by visiting park exhibits, or have a patriotic picnic. July 4 is a license-free fishing day. Any individual may catch and possess finfish for recreational purposes in any tidal and nontidal waters of Maryland. All anglers must follow current regulations, including size and catch limits found in the department’s fishing and crabbing guide. Read more about July 4 weekend events. Photo above by William Hentosh, submitted to the 2023 Maryland DNR Photo Contest |
The Story of America Can Be Followed on Maryland’s Trails The primary mission of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is to protect our natural environment, but as stewards of a half million acres of property, DNR is also custodian of our state’s rich history. Almost every Maryland State Park contains some historic feature, but some allow you to literally trace the footsteps of Maryland’s many contributions to the American story. Read more in Secretary Josh Kurtz’s column. |
Liberty Tree Project: Living History Takes Root Across Maryland Maryland’s original Liberty Tree, a tulip poplar located near what is now St. John’s College in Annapolis, became one of the state’s most significant historic landmarks. Citizens gathered beneath its branches during the unrest surrounding the Stamp Act of 1765, making it a symbol of Maryland’s role in the nation’s founding. This year, through the Maryland Liberty Tree Project, a genetically identical descendant of Maryland’s original Liberty Tree is being planted in each of the state’s 23 counties and Baltimore City. With most of the plantings now complete, Marylanders are invited to visit these trees and experience firsthand a living connection to the state’s past. Read more about the Liberty Tree Project. |
Join the 2026 State Park Adventure Challenge: America in Miniature Nearly a century ago, National Geographic editor Gilbert Grosvenor called Maryland “a delightful geographic miniature of America,” referring to the state’s varied topography. A nickname for our state was coined.Today, America In Miniature: Maryland State Parks Adventure Challenge offers a chance to explore the stunning and varied terrain of the state, and a chance to earn a challenge badge. There are 20 challenge categories to choose from, and options all over the state – seek out cannons, lighthouses, state symbols, and historic structures. Pick your own path to reach 250 points. A complete breakdown of points and challenges can be found on the America In Miniature webpage. |
Maryland DNR Offers Special Edition MD250 Hard Card for Sale This year the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering a new, special edition hard card for fishing, hunting, and boating licenses that honors the state’s wildlife and outdoor history. The artwork on the card is a relic of Maryland’s past. It served as the frontispiece for Maryland Conservationist magazine, published by a predecessor agency of DNR, between 1924 and 1947. Read more about the MD250 hard card license. |
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Under the vibrant lights of the Ocean City boardwalk Ferris wheel and Slingshot ride, prehistoric animals scuttled onto the shore of a quiet beach by the thousands. While the setting has changed, horseshoe crabs and their close relatives have been making this same journey to the world’s coastlines for hundreds of millions of years, through mass extinctions and the shift of continents, in what is considered the oldest wildlife migration on the planet. On spawning days that occur from May to July, these ancient arthropods return to beaches in Maryland and along the East Coast in search of mates. “The horseshoe crabs are on,” Steve Doctor, a Maryland Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologist, said on a June spawning night. “It’s ‘Jurassic Park’ out there.” Read more. |
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Maryland DNR Gives Young Largemouth Bass a Head Start Since the early 1980s, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has stocked more than six million largemouth bass in tidal rivers. The stocking effort is an ongoing, year-long effort that is paid for by state fishing license fees.Tidal bass fishing is important to Maryland recreationally and economically, as each year DNR permits more than 400 tournaments for anglers to pursue black bass (the genus to which largemouth bass belong). Read more. |
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