First published in 1727, the Maryland Gazette holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously published newspaper in the United States. Founded in Anne Arundel County by British journalist William Parks, the newspaper has chronicled Maryland’s history for nearly 300 years and remains in operation today.

The Maryland Gazette played a notable role in early American history. In 1767, Anne Catharine Green became the first woman in America to serve as a newspaper publisher, taking over the paper after her husband’s death. During the tense years leading up to the Revolutionary War, the Maryland Gazette boldly opposed British-imposed taxes like the Stamp Act, aligning itself with the pro-American cause.

In 1884, William Abbott launched The Evening Capital to serve the Annapolis area. He later purchased the Maryland Gazette just before World War I. At the time, the Gazette was a weekly publication covering all of Anne Arundel County, while The Evening Capital operated as Annapolis’ daily newspaper. In 1955, the Gazette shifted its focus to northern Anne Arundel County and became a twice-weekly paper in 1969.

Over the decades, the paper changed hands multiple times but remained steadfast in its mission: delivering timely and reliable news to Maryland residents.

In 2024, the Maryland Gazette and The Capital officially merged, forming a unified publication under the Capital Gazette name. Today, the Capital Gazette continues to serve Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, preserving the rich legacy of one of America’s most historic newspapers.

If you would like your county featured in Fun Facts, please get in touch with Amanda Grosskrueger at agrosskrueger@mdcounties.org.