This Date in History Quiz

Take a trip back in time and see how much you know about events that shaped Baltimore and Maryland.

Quiz tools

    • 1. Mt. Vernon's Washington Monument was completed on July 4, 1829. How many monuments to the first president already existed?
    • 2. The Ravens currently play in M&T Bank Stadium, but when football returned to Baltimore, they played in Memorial Stadium, former home of the Colts. When was their inaugural season at the new stadium?
    • 3. Fells Point is a popular destination for people seeking Baltimore's nightlife. When was this historic neighborhood founded?
    • 4. The main building of the National Aquarium in Baltimore opened to the public in 1981, but when was the marine mammal exhibit opened?
    • 5. Famed quirky director John Waters is from Baltimore and makes it a point to film his movies in Charm City. His first film to make it big in the cult-movie industry came out in 1972 and was called:
    • 6. "Hairspray," released in 1988, is probably Waters' best-known film. It was recently released on Broadway as a musical to critical acclaim and received how many Tony Awards on June 8, 2003?
    • 7. Gov. Robert Ehrlich, elected on Nov. 5, 2002, became Maryland's first Republican governor since Spiro Agnew was elected in 1966, and only the sixth in Maryland history. Who did Ehrlich beat?
    • 8. The Baltimore Sun provides "light for all" to the area's newspaper readers. In what year did the Sun first go to print?
    • 9. School children in Maryland all learn the story of Francis Scott Key's inspiration for writing the "Star Spangled Banner" as he watched the battle at Fort McHenry. When did Key write the poem?
    • 10. George Calvert was the first Lord Baltimore. The Baltimore title was handed down through his family. In what year was Baltimore founded and named after the Calverts' title?
    • 11. Route 40 is a historic national landmark that encompasses the "National Road" which runs from Baltimore to Vandalia, Ill. Construction of this project was authorized in 1806 by which president?
    • 12. On July 4, 1776, how many patriots from Maryland signed the Declaration of Independence?
    • 13. Celebrated author and poet Edgar Allan Poe called Baltimore his home, despite being born and living elsewhere. He was buried in Baltimore at Westminster Hall on what date?
    • 14. The Maryland Science Center has a long history of exhibiting the wonders of the sciences, as well as hosting a planetarium and IMAX theater. When was its building in the Inner Harbor opened?
    • 15. It's a fact that Marylanders love Old Bay seasoning on their steamed crabs, and pretty much everything else. It's been a Maryland tradition since which year?
    • 16. It seems like every major city has had a large fire that has destroyed parts of the city at some point in their history. When was Baltimore's fire?
    • 17. Erected in 1968 and a focal point at the top of the Inner Harbor, the Baltimore World Trade Center's claim to fame is:
    • 18. Martin O'Malley was elected mayor of Baltimore in November 1999. Setting him apart from the rest of the political crowd, he was a member of a band called:
    • 19. Lacrosse may not be the official state sport, but it's quite popular and has a proud history. Johns Hopkins had the honor of representing the U.S. in its debut lacrosse game in which Olympics?
    • 20. Despite being a part of the Union, Baltimore and the state of Maryland were culturally more of a Southern state. What happened on April 19, 1861, to spark a riot in downtown Baltimore?