Maryland, also known as the “Old Line State,” is a state rich in history, culture, and unique landmarks. Located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, Maryland is famous for its diverse geography, historical significance, and contributions to American culture. Whether you are a Maryland resident or just someone interested in learning more about this fascinating state, trivia can be an exciting way to dive deep into Maryland’s background.
In this article, we’ll explore some interesting trivia questions and answers that highlight Maryland’s key features. From historical events to famous personalities and landmarks, this guide will surely entertain and inform you. So, grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and let’s explore the captivating world of Maryland trivia!
Maryland Trivia Questions and Answers
Here’s a list of 101 Maryland trivia questions and answers, organized by category:
General Maryland Facts
Q: What is the state capital of Maryland?
A: Annapolis.
Q: In what year did Maryland officially become a state?
A: 1788.
Q: What is the nickname of the state of Maryland?
A: The Old Line State.
Q: What is the state flower of Maryland?
A: Black-eyed Susan.
Q: What is Maryland’s state bird?
A: Baltimore Oriole.
Q: What is the state tree of Maryland?
A: White Oak.
Q: What is the state insect of Maryland?
A: Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly.
Q: What is the state song of Maryland?
A: “Maryland, My Maryland.”
Q: What river forms much of the border between Maryland and Virginia?
A: The Potomac River.
Q: What is the state motto of Maryland?
A: “Fatti maschii, parole femine” (Manly deeds, womanly words).
Famous People from Maryland
Q: Which famous abolitionist and author was born in Maryland in 1818?
A: Frederick Douglass.
Q: Who was the first African American U.S. Senator from Maryland?
A: Edward W. Brooke.
Q: Which famous jazz musician was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1920?
A: Billie Holiday.
Q: What famous astronaut was born in Glen Ridge, Maryland, in 1930?
A: Alan Shepard.
Q: Which famous civil rights leader, who helped form the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), was born in Maryland?
A: W.E.B. Du Bois.
Q: Which famous baseball player, known for his 3,000 hits, was born in Maryland?
A: Cal Ripken Jr.
Q: Which famous actor, known for his roles in “The Wire” and “The Office,” hails from Maryland?
A: Idris Elba.
Geography & Nature Maryland Trivia Questions
Q: Which bay is located on the eastern shore of Maryland?
A: Chesapeake Bay.
Q: What mountain range runs through western Maryland?
A: The Appalachian Mountains.
Q: What is the highest point in Maryland?
A: Hoye-Crest on Backbone Mountain.
Q: Which Maryland city is known as the “City of Clustered Spires”?
A: Frederick.
Q: Which river flows into the Chesapeake Bay?
A: The Susquehanna River.
Q: What is the largest island in the Chesapeake Bay?
A: Kent Island.
Q: Which famous marshland area in Maryland is home to a variety of bird species?
A: Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.
Q: What is the name of the national park located in the western part of Maryland?
A: Catoctin Mountain Park.
History Maryland Trivia Questions
Q: Who was the first European to explore Maryland’s coast in the 16th century?
A: John Smith.
Q: What year did Maryland become a state?
A: 1788.
Q: Which Maryland city was the temporary capital of the United States during the War of 1812?
A: Washington, D.C. (Though it’s not in Maryland, it’s geographically located near it).
Q: What was the first permanent English settlement in Maryland?
A: St. Mary’s City.
Q: In what year was the Battle of Antietam, one of the bloodiest battles in U.S. history, fought?
A: 1862.
Q: Which NFL team calls Maryland home?
A: The Baltimore Ravens.
Q: What MLB team is based in Baltimore, Maryland?
A: The Baltimore Orioles.
Q: What is the name of Maryland’s basketball team in the NCAA?
A: Maryland Terrapins.
Q: Which famous horse race is held annually in Maryland?
A: The Preakness Stakes.
Q: Which professional ice hockey team is based in Maryland?
A: The Washington Capitals.
Q: Which sport is played at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown?
A: Soccer.
Maryland Attractions & Landmarks
Q: What famous museum is located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and is associated with Maryland?
A: The Smithsonian Institution.
Q: Which historic fort, located near Baltimore, was the site of a major battle during the War of 1812?
A: Fort McHenry.
Q: What is the name of the large, famous estate in Maryland that was once the home of George Washington?
A: Mount Vernon (located just outside Maryland in Virginia).
Q: Which amusement park is located in Upper Marlboro, Maryland?
A: Six Flags America.
Q: What is the name of the large park near Frederick, Maryland, that features a variety of outdoor activities?
A: Cunningham Falls State Park.
Q: What famous naval academy is located in Annapolis, Maryland?
A: United States Naval Academy.
Q: What famous lighthouse is located on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland?
A: Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse.
Food & Drink Maryland Trivia Questions
Q: What Maryland dish is made of crab meat and is often served as a patty?
A: Crab cakes.
Q: What sweet, sticky treat is associated with the Chesapeake Bay region of Maryland?
A: Smith Island Cake.
Q: What type of seafood is most famous in Maryland?
A: Blue Crab.
Q: Which popular Maryland drink is made from fruit and often served chilled?
A: Maryland’s famous “Old Bay” seasonings, often with lemonade.
Q: What Maryland-based institution is one of the largest space research centers in the world?
A: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
Q: What is the name of the university in Maryland known for its strong engineering and technology programs?
A: University of Maryland, College Park.
Q: Where is the headquarters of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) located?
A: Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Maryland in the Arts
Q: What famous author, best known for “The Raven,” was born in Baltimore?
A: Edgar Allan Poe.
Q: Which musical genre is strongly associated with Maryland, particularly Baltimore?
A: Go-go music.
Q: What museum in Maryland is known for its collection of modern art?
A: The Baltimore Museum of Art.
Q: What theater company, founded in Maryland, is one of the oldest and most prestigious in the United States?
A: The Maryland Ensemble Theatre.
Q: Which famous battle during the Civil War took place near Sharpsburg, Maryland?
A: The Battle of Antietam.
Q: Where in Maryland can you visit a 19th-century steam-powered locomotive?
A: The B&O Railroad Museum.
Fun Facts Maryland Trivia Questions
Q: Maryland is the smallest state in the U.S. by land area. True or False?
A: False. (It is the 42nd smallest.)
Q: Which U.S. President was born in Maryland?
A: Spiro T. Agnew (Vice President under Richard Nixon).
Q: What is the state’s primary agricultural product?
A: Poultry (especially chickens).
Q: What annual event in Baltimore celebrates arts, culture, and entertainment?
A: Artscape.
Q: What is the name of the large food and beverage festival held annually in Baltimore?
A: The Maryland Seafood Festival.
Historic Landmarks & Places in Maryland (Continued)
Q: What historic site in Maryland marks the place where the first successful railroad was built?
A: The B&O Railroad Museum.
Q: What historic home in Maryland was once the residence of the first U.S. President, George Washington?
A: Mount Vernon (in Virginia, just across the Maryland border).
Q: Where in Maryland can you find a preserved 18th-century plantation home, known for its architectural beauty?
A: The William Paca House in Annapolis.
Q: Which 19th-century mansion in Maryland served as a former residence for John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of Abraham Lincoln?
A: The Garrett Farm, located near the site of his capture.
Q: What species of bird, known for its bright orange and black plumage, is the state bird of Maryland?
A: The Baltimore Oriole.
Q: Which endangered species of whale migrates through the waters off the Maryland coast?
A: The North Atlantic Right Whale.
Q: The Appalachian Trail passes through Maryland. What is the total distance of the trail that runs through the state?
A: 40 miles.
Q: What body of water forms part of Maryland’s border with Delaware?
A: The Delaware Bay.
Q: Which famous national park, located in Maryland, preserves a historic Civil War battlefield and is also a popular site for birdwatching?
A: Antietam National Battlefield.
Political History & Government
Q: What Maryland city served as the temporary capital of the United States during the War of 1812?
A: Washington, D.C. (Geographically very close to Maryland).
Q: Which U.S. Senator from Maryland served as Secretary of Defense under President John F. Kennedy?
A: Robert S. McNamara.
Q: What political party does Maryland’s governor, as of 2025, belong to?
A: Democratic Party.
Q: Which famous Maryland politician, serving from 1987-2017, was known for his work in education and social issues?
A: Senator Barbara Mikulski.
Maryland Festivals & Events
Q: Which Maryland festival celebrates the harvest season with a unique display of pumpkins, gourds, and festive events?
A: The Fall Fest at the National Harbor.
Q: Which Maryland festival is dedicated to the art of crabs, featuring crab-related foods and entertainment?
A: The Maryland Crab Festival.
Q: What annual Maryland event features thousands of local, state, and international artists showcasing their artwork?
A: The Howard County Arts Council Art Reception.
Q: The Maryland Film Festival, held annually in Baltimore, celebrates which genre of art?
A: Film.
Q: What is the oldest college in Maryland, founded in 1696?
A: St. John’s College.
Q: Which Maryland university is known for its strong programs in science, engineering, and business, and is located in College Park?
A: University of Maryland, College Park.
Q: Which prestigious research university in Baltimore is renowned for its medical and public health programs?
A: Johns Hopkins University.
Q: Which Maryland university is known for being the “HBCU” (Historically Black College or University) in the state?
A: Bowie State University.
Maryland’s Economy
Q: What is Maryland’s largest industry?
A: The healthcare and biotechnology industries.
Q: What important defense and technology contractor has its headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland?
A: Lockheed Martin.
Q: What major military installation is located in Maryland and employs thousands of people?
A: Fort Meade.
Q: Which Maryland sports team won the 2018 Stanley Cup?
A: The Washington Capitals (NHL).
Q: Which famous Maryland boxer, known for his incredible agility and boxing skills, became the World Heavyweight Champion in 1964?
A: Muhammad Ali.
Q: Which famous MLB player from Maryland played for the New York Yankees and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1973?
A: Brooks Robinson.
Q: What professional soccer team plays in Maryland’s Audi Field?
A: D.C. United.
Q: Which Maryland native was a standout wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers and became known as “The Bus”?
A: Jerome Bettis.
Famous Maryland Events
Q: Which major auto race, held annually in Maryland, is one of the top events in the world for motorsports?
A: The Preakness Stakes.
Q: The Ocean City Air Show, an annual event in Maryland, is known for showcasing which type of aviation?
A: Military jets and aerobatic performances.
Q: What event in Maryland focuses on the celebration of African American history and culture?
A: The Capital Jazz Fest.
Q: Which famous writer of detective novels was born in Baltimore, Maryland?
A: Edgar Allan Poe.
Q: What well-known poet, born in Maryland, is most famous for her poem “The Road Not Taken”?
A: Robert Frost.
Q: Which 19th-century Maryland author was known for his adventure novels, such as “The Deerslayer”?
A: James Fenimore Cooper.
Maryland’s Coastal Towns
Q: What is the popular seaside town on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, known for its crab dishes and beautiful waterfront?
A: Cambridge.
Q: Which historic waterfront town in Maryland is known for its colonial architecture and tourism?
A: St. Michaels.
Q: What coastal Maryland city is known for its Victorian homes and is a popular vacation destination?
A: Ocean City.
Q: What is the name of the popular indoor theme park in Baltimore that features family-friendly entertainment?
A: Port Discovery Children’s Museum.
Q: What popular chain of stores, often associated with the American founding, was originally established in Baltimore, Maryland?
A: The first CVS Pharmacy.
FAQs About Maryland Trivia Questions and Answers
What is the state motto of Maryland?
The state motto of Maryland is “Fatti maschii, parole femine,” which means “Manly deeds, womanly words.” It reflects the state’s commitment to both strength and diplomacy.
Which historical figure is famous for their connection to the founding of Maryland?
Cecil Calvert, also known as Lord Baltimore, is the historical figure credited with founding Maryland in 1632. He was granted the land by King Charles I of England.
Where is the Maryland Renaissance Festival held?
The Maryland Renaissance Festival takes place annually in Crownsville, Maryland. It is one of the largest Renaissance fairs in the United States, drawing thousands of visitors every year.
What is the state tree of Maryland?
The state tree of Maryland is the White Oak, a symbol of strength and endurance. It’s one of the most prominent trees in Maryland’s forests.
What major U.S. airport is located in Maryland?
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is located in Maryland and serves as a major gateway for travelers to and from the region.
Conclusion
Maryland is a state filled with history, culture, and diversity. Whether you’re a resident or just curious about what makes this state special, there’s no shortage of fascinating facts to discover. From the birthplace of the “Star-Spangled Banner” to the historic sites in Annapolis and the rich traditions of Baltimore, Maryland has something for everyone. We hope you enjoyed learning about Maryland’s trivia, and now, with this newfound knowledge, you can impress your friends with your Maryland expertise!
Final Words
Maryland is a state with a rich tapestry of history, culture, and innovation. From its pivotal role in American history to its vibrant cultural scene, the Old Line State is full of fascinating stories and intriguing trivia. If you’re looking to learn more about this fascinating state, keep exploring its landmarks, people, and traditions. Whether you’re enjoying some Maryland crab cakes or visiting the scenic Chesapeake Bay, there’s always something new to discover!
