1. In 1773, the first official Masonic Lodge in Maryland was established in Annapolis. Named after the family of the colony's founder, George Calvert, the Lodge was called the "Lodge of the Ancient Landmarks."

2. On December 17, 1963, the U.S. Patent Office granted a patent to Dr. Howard M. Temin for his groundbreaking research into the nature of cancer-causing viruses. Temin's work ultimately led to the development of new cancer treatments and preventative measures.

3. In 1926, the SS Potomac caught fire and sank off the coast of Maryland. The vessel, which was owned by former U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was en route from Washington, D.C. to Fort Lauderdale, Florida when the incident occurred.

4. On December 17, 1903, the Wright brothers made their first successful flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The brothers' breakthrough achievement would eventually lead to the development of modern aviation and the space program.

5. In 1999, the Maryland Court of Appeals commenced its first-ever hearing of a case entirely through the use of video conferencing. The hearing established the precedent for the use of such technology in legal proceedings throughout the state.