Of all 50 states, Maryland has one of the most unique and recognize flags. It features the heraldic banner of arms of Cecil Calvert. Maryland is the only state, in fact, with English heraldry in its flag. As a result, you can easily spot the flag of Maryland.
Origins of the Flag of Maryland
The origins of the modern-day flag of Maryland can be traced back to the late 19th century. It was originally displayed during a Baltimore parade in 1880. The parade marked the 150th anniversary of the city’s founding. Several years later, it was displayed at the Gettysburg Battlefield. Several ceremonies were held at the Gettysburg Battlefield. Records show that the flag of Maryland was displayed at these ceremonies.
While the flag of Maryland was displayed as early as 1880, it wasn’t officially adopted until the turn of the 20th century. In 1904, Maryland lawmakers passed legislation adopting the flag.
About the Design
As previously mentioned, the flag of Maryland features the heraldic banner of arms of Cecil Calvert. Known as the 2nd Barron of Baltimore, Calvert was an English nobleman. He’s most known for being the first proprietor of Maryland.
The banner of arms of Cecil Calvert consists of a shield with four segments. Two of the segments feature a black-and-gold geometric pattern. The other two segments feature a red-and-white cross. While the flag of Maryland doesn’t have the same shield used in the original banner of arms of Cecil Calvert, it retains the banner arms’ four segments.
When viewing the flag of Maryland, you’ll notice it has four parts or segments. The top-left and bottom-right segments feature the black-and-gold geometric patterns. The top-right and bottom-left segments feature the red-and-white cross.
Facts About the Flag of Maryland
The flag of Maryland is the only official state flag in the United States to feature English heraldry. There are plenty of other unique flags, but only Maryland’s flag has English heraldry.
In terms of popularity, the flag of Maryland is near the top of the list. A North American Vexillological Association survey found that was it the fourth-most popular flag in North America. The survey included both U.S. flags and Canadian flag.
Prior to featuring the heraldic banner of arms of Cecil Calvert, the flag of Maryland featured the state’s seal. It wasn’t an official design. Rather, Maryland used an unofficial flag featuring its seal. Maryland’s official flag featured the four segments included in the heraldic banner of arms of Cecil Calvert.
