1. In 1783, the Maryland General Assembly passed a bill to donate land and funds to create Washington College (now known as Washington College). This private liberal arts college in Chestertown was the first college chartered by the newly formed United States of America.

2. On December 4, 1861, Confederate forces under General J.E.B. Stuart attempted to cross the Potomac River from Virginia into Maryland. Union troops under General George B. McClellan intercepted them and engaged in the Battle of Dranesville, which resulted in a Union victory.

3. In 1918, the state of Maryland ratified the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which established Prohibition and banned the production, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages. Prohibition would last until it was repealed by the 21st Amendment in 1933.

4. December 4, 1950, marks the date of the establishment of The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland. This nonprofit research and development organization is dedicated to solving critical challenges in national security, space exploration, and other fields.

5. On December 4, 1987, the Baltimore Orioles traded first baseman Eddie Murray to the Los Angeles Dodgers for pitcher Brian Holton and a player to be named later. Murray had played for the Orioles for 12 seasons and was a fan favorite, but the team felt he was past his prime and wanted to rebuild. Murray would go on to have a successful career with the Dodgers and other teams.