1. On August 19, 1814, British troops burned down the White House and other government buildings in Washington, D.C., during the War of 1812. This event, known as the Burning of Washington, was a significant moment in Maryland and American history.

2. On August 19, 1937, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge officially opened to traffic. The bridge spans 4.3 miles across the Chesapeake Bay and connects the Eastern Shore to the rest of Maryland. It was the world's longest continuous overwater steel structure at the time of its opening.

3. In 1963, on August 19, Maryland Governor J. Millard Tawes signed a bill into law officially recognizing Maryland's state bird, the Baltimore oriole. The bird had been unofficially recognized as the state bird since 1947.

4. On August 19, 1976, Maryland Governor Marvin Mandel was convicted of mail fraud and racketeering charges. He was sentenced to four years in prison but served only 19 months before being released on parole.

5. In recent years, August 19 has become an important date for horse racing fans in Maryland. The Maryland Jockey Club hosts the annual Maryland Pride Day at Laurel Park, which includes several stakes races for Maryland-bred horses. The event has drawn large crowds and has helped promote Maryland's horse racing industry.