Fort McHenry is the birthplace of the American national anthem, written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812, when the Fort was defending the Baltimore harbor.
Baltimore’s Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the first cathedral in the United States. Built in the early 19th century, it has been restored and receives thousands of visitors every year.
The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum was the country’s first wax museum of African American history.
The waterfront neighborhood of Fell’s Point was the second largest point of immigration to the U.S. after New York’s Ellis Island.
Many historic African Americans have called Baltimore home, including Thurgood Marshall, Frederick Douglass, Isaac Myers, Billie Holiday and Cab Calloway.
Baseball legend Babe Ruth was born in Baltimore.
The first umbrella factory in the United States was established in Baltimore in 1828.
The first dental school in the world was founded in Baltimore in 1840.
Baltimore was home to the first black-owned shipyard in the United States, the Chesapeake Marine Railway and Dry Dock Company. Formed and operated by a group of black community leaders, including Isaac Myers, the former shipyard is now the home of the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park and Museum, located at 1417 Thames St. at the Inner Harbor.
Snowballs (known elsewhere as snow cones), Baltimore’s favorite summer treat, were invented in Baltimore during the Industrial Revolution.
The Great Baltimore Fire of 1904 burned for 30 hours, during which it destroyed 1,500 buildings and leveled entire neighborhoods. One of the reasons cited for the widespread destruction was mismatched hose couplings that impeded firefighting efforts. As a result of the Great Baltimore Fire, firefighting equipment was standardized across the United States.
Baltimore has been known by many nicknames through the years, including Charm City, the City that Reads, the Monumental City, and the City that Believes.
Baltimore has more statues and monuments per capita than any other city in the U.S.
Baltimore City is an independent city (meaning it’s not part of any county). As such, it is the largest independent city in the U.S.
