Maryland Day commemorates the formal founding of the colony of Maryland, when the newly-arrived
colonists erected a cross on St. Clement’s Island, offered prayers (perhaps by saying Mass), and took
“possession of this Countrey for our Saviour and for our soveraigne Lord the King of England.” In 1916,
the Maryland General Assembly authorized Maryland Day as a legal holiday devoted to Maryland history.
This year, special activities have been organized for Scouts of America! Girl Scouts are invited to
participate in a variety of educational activities to help them earn their Maryland Heritage Badge. Girl
Scout representatives will be on hand on Saturday, March 24, from noon to 4 pm at the Pocket Park in
Annapolis, 122 Main Street. Boy and Girl Scouts, as well as the general public, are invited to take part in a
flag-raising ceremony on March 24 at noon at Susan G. Campbell park, City Dock in Annapolis.
For the fifth year in a row, Four Rivers Heritage Area is partnering with regional heritage organizations and
businesses to showcase the area’s historical, cultural and natural heritage. Events and activities will take
place throughout the Maryland Day Celebration weekend of March 23, 24, and 25.
Additional Maryland Day Celebration participating partners include the Maryland Welcome Centers and
Rams Head Tavern and b.b. bistro in Annapolis. Continually updated information is available online at
www.marylandday.org.
Mark your calendars now and plan to bring the whole family to Annapolis and Southern Anne Arundel
County for three days of fun, interactive and educational activities that celebrate the best of Maryland’s
unique history, natural resources, and culture. New this year: Girl Scouts can complete activities for the
“Maryland Heritage” badge at sites throughout the area.
Four Rivers, one of Maryland’s 12 certified state heritage areas, is a nonprofit organization operating in
partnership with the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, Anne Arundel County, the City of Annapolis, the
Town of Highland Beach, and heritage-related organizations and businesses. Its mission is to stimulate
preservation and economic development of the region by supporting and promoting its natural, historic
and cultural resources. Our website URL is www.fourriversheritage.org. For more information about the
Maryland Day Celebration event, please visit the event website, www.marylandday.org, or call Carol
Benson at 410-222-1805. E-mail contact: Heritage_Area@aacounty.org, Cell: 410-627-6018.