The Ark and the Dove: Why We Celebrate Maryland Day on March 25th

This Wednesday, March 25, 2026, Marylanders will celebrate the 392nd anniversary of the state’s founding. Unlike many other holidays, Maryland Day celebrates a very specific moment: the landing of the settlers from two ships, the Ark and the Dove, on St. Clement’s Island in 1634.

A Colony of “Firsts”

What makes Maryland’s founding unique was the vision of Cecil Calvert (the second Lord Baltimore). He wanted to establish a colony where people could practice their religion freely—a revolutionary concept at a time when Europe was embroiled in religious wars. This earned Maryland its nickname, the “Free State.”

The Flag: A Heraldic Masterpiece

You can’t talk about Maryland without mentioning the flag. It is the only state flag based on English heraldry (the family coats of arms of the Calverts and the Crosslands). The black and gold “Calvert” design and the red and white “Crossland” design weren’t officially combined into the flag we know today until after the Civil War, symbolizing the reconciliation of the state.

How to Celebrate:

• Eat a Crab Cake: (Obviously!) But make sure it’s seasoned with Old Bay.
• Visit St. Clement’s Island: If you’re in the area, a trip to the site of the original landing is a great way to “March Forth” into Maryland history.

Happy Maryland Day to all our neighbors in the Old Line State!