On March 25, 1634, English settlers sailing aboard the Ark and the Dove disembarked on what is today St. Clement’s Island in St. Mary’s County, announcing their founding of the Maryland colony. Located off Colton’s Point in the Potomac River, St. Clement’s Island is now a 62-acre park, accessible only by boat, bearing a memorial cross dedicated those roughly 140 settlers.
The formal observance of Maryland Day, which commemorates the arrival of the Ark and the Dove, began in 1903 when the State Board of Education decided devote a day on the school calendar to state history. In 1916, Maryland Day became a legal state holiday authorized by the General Assembly.
In recognition of the annual celebration, The UMBC Poll, conducted under the auspices of the UMBC Institute of Politics, asked state residents to share their favorite things about Maryland. (Student research assistants categorized the open-ended responses.)
Nearly a quarter of those polled (24 percent) said the state’s natural beauty, like the Chesapeake Bay, mid-Atlantic climate, and broad outdoor recreation opportunities, were their favorite things about Maryland.
Additionally, another 15 percent said the state’s geographic diversity—from Assateague to the Allegheny Mountains and everything in between—was their favorite thing.
According to a press release from UMBC, several respondents highlighted that in Maryland, you can visit the state’s beaches, mountains, horse country and farms, and biggest cities in the state on the same day. One Maryland resident specifically noted that “this state has something for everyone” and many have the “ability to enjoy a diversity of activities and environments, from enjoying the ocean in Ocean City to fishing in the Chesapeake to hunting in central Maryland, and skiing at Wisp.”
Seventeen percent of residents said their favorite thing about Maryland was the people and communities—something we know about in Baltimore, a city renowned for its distinctive neighborhoods.
One respondent said they loved “how everyone in Maryland is proud of their state.” And, of course, we know how proud Marylanders are of their state flag (even if it has a complicated history).
Fourteen percent of those polled said the state’s unique food and culinary experiences was their favorite thing about Maryland, with many mentioning the state’s crabs, crab cakes, seafood, and Old Bay seasoning.
“The UMBC Poll responses highlight that there are many things to love about Maryland,” said Mileah Kromer, director of the UMBC Institute of Politics. “Like many other Marylanders, I’m glad to live in a state that offers a little bit of everything, truly embodying America in miniature moniker.”
We couldn’t agree more.