1. Maryland became a British colony on April 1, 1634, when the first English settlers arrived on the shores of St. Clement's Island in the Potomac River. Led by Catholic leader Lord Baltimore, the settlers established the colony of Maryland as a safe haven for Catholics in a predominantly Protestant England.
2. On April 1, 1783, George Washington resigned as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army at the Maryland State House in Annapolis. This act solidified Washington's reputation as a selfless servant of his country and set the stage for a peaceful transition of power to civilian government.
3. The Civil War erupted in Maryland on April 1, 1861, when Maryland militia forces marched on the federal garrison at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. This act of defiance signaled Maryland's allegiance to the Confederacy and set the stage for four years of conflict and bloodshed.
4. On April 1, 1896, Maryland became the first state to mandate school attendance for children between the ages of 8 and 14. This landmark legislation set the standard for compulsory education in America and helped to ensure that all children would have access to a basic education.
5. Finally, April 1 is known as Opening Day in Maryland, as it marks the start of the state's recreational fishing season. Anglers from around the region gather to try their luck on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, hoping to catch a variety of prized fish such as striped bass, bluefish, and perch. Fishing has been a beloved pastime in Maryland since the colonial era, and continues to be an important part of the state's culture and economy.