With an estimated 553,293 residents, Baltimore tops the charts as Maryland’s biggest city, and it stands apart in other surprising ways.
Founded in 1729, Baltimore City is unlike any other Maryland jurisdiction; it is independent, meaning it is not part of a county. Its uniqueness expands to the rest of the United States as well, where very few cities stand entirely on their own. This structure dates back to 1851, when the City separated from Baltimore County. Baltimore currently manages its own finances, public services, and governance.
Other Facts About Baltimore City:
- Baltimore is where the Star-Spangled Banner was born.
- It is where the first American railroad was laid.
- It is where the first gas streetlight lit up the streets.
- It is the home of Johns Hopkins University, founded in 1876.
- Johns Hopkins Hospital was founded a few years later, in 1889
- Considered the teaching hospital affiliated with the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
- Cited as the first hospital to use rubber gloves during surgery, a practice that has become standard worldwide
- The renowned National Aquarium is situated in Baltimore, housing over 20,000 animals representing more than 800 species.
- Over 1.3 million people visit the aquarium each year.
- The Preakness Stakes is one of horse racing’s Triple Crown events. It has been held annually at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore since 1873.
- The prize purse is currently over $1.5 million.
Today, the City remains a center of healthcare, shipping, and culture.
