1. On December 8, 1816, the Maryland Agricultural College (now known as the University of Maryland) was founded in College Park, Maryland. It was the first agricultural college in the United States.

2. In 1851, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal officially opened on December 8th, providing a transportation route between Washington, D.C. and Cumberland, Maryland for coal and other goods.

3. On December 8, 1871, the Great Fire of Baltimore started, destroying more than 1500 buildings in the city's downtown area. The fire lasted for two days and caused millions of dollars in damages.

4. In 1950, the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland won its first Army-Navy football game in 14 years on December 8th. The game ended in a 14-2 victory for the Midshipmen.

5. On December 8, 1999, the Baltimore Ravens football team played their first game in their new stadium, M&T Bank Stadium, which was built after their previous home, Memorial Stadium, was demolished. The Ravens beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-24 in the first regular season game at the new stadium.