Maryland Day2026 · Date · History · Messages
Maryland State Archives
About Maryland Day
Maryland Day is observed March 25 in the U.S. state of Maryland. It commemorates the 1634 arrival of English settlers at St. Clement's Island and is also a point of entry into the state's deeper history.
The Maryland State Archives traces the formal school observance to 1903 and reports that the General Assembly authorized Maryland Day as a legal holiday in 1916.
Why Maryland Day matters
The day is an opportunity to learn about the history of the colony and the people who lived in the area long before colonization.
The colonial founding narrative should not erase Indigenous communities, their histories or the consequences of European settlement.
History of Maryland Day
The English colonial venture followed the 1632 charter granted to Cecilius Calvert; settlers led by Leonard Calvert reached St. Clement's Island on March 25, 1634.
The Maryland State Archives dates a formal annual school commemoration to a 1903 State Board of Education decision.
The 1916 Maryland General Assembly authorized Maryland Day as a legal holiday. That status should not be misrepresented as a general paid day off for every Maryland worker.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Maryland State Board of Education (1903) and Maryland General Assembly (1916)
1916 Maryland General Assembly Chapter 633
First documented observance
State Archives describes 1903 formal annual school commemoration, distinct from colonial 1634 landing.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
5 fields not established in reviewed sources
How to Observe Maryland Day
Visit or read Maryland State Archives exhibits and primary sources.
Include Indigenous history and contemporary perspectives when discussing 1634 and the colonial era.
Look for local Maryland history programming from libraries, heritage sites or schools.
Check schools and workplaces separately rather than assuming a statewide closure on March 25.
Maryland Day Facts
Maryland Day is March 25.
The event commemorates the colonial landing dated March 25, 1634.
The formal school observance was designated in 1903.
A Maryland legislative act authorized Maryland Day in 1916.
Maryland Day Messages
Wishing Maryland communities a March 25 filled with thoughtful local-history learning.
May Maryland Day encourage exploration of the many peoples who shaped the state.
On Maryland Day, remember to include Indigenous history alongside the colonial record.
May March 25 inspire respectful conversations about Maryland's complicated, shared history.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Remembrance Civic Context Care.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
Maryland Secretary of State — Maryland colonial history (opens in a new tab)
Wave 370 Primary Evidence
Maryland State Archives — Maryland Day (opens in a new tab)
State Government Commemoration
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is Maryland Day?
25 March The documented recurrence rule is: 25 March.
Does Maryland Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is Maryland Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: 25 March | Maryland state-specific commemorative/legal history, not universal paid leave. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes Maryland Day?
The reviewed sources identify Maryland State Board of Education (1903) and Maryland General Assembly (1916) as the proclaiming or establishing body.
Is Maryland Day international or country-specific?
No single country is assigned to this observance. Its documented scope is: 25 March | Maryland state-specific commemorative/legal history, not universal paid leave. Use that scope rather than assuming worldwide or country-specific status.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-10-08.
When is Maryland Day?
March 25 each year.
What is the 1634 link?
It marks the English settlers’ landing at St. Clement’s Island.
When did official recognition begin?
Maryland State Archives reports a 1903 school designation and a 1916 legislative authorization.
Does everyone get a day off?
Not necessarily. A historic legal-holiday designation does not prove universal paid leave or closure today.
Other observances on March 25
These observances are also listed on March 25, 2027.
Anniversary of the Arengo
San Marino official sources list 25 March as the Anniversary of the Arengo of 1906, alongside the Feast of the Militias.
Dantedì — Italy’s national day dedicated to Dante Alighieri
Italy’s Ministry of Culture states that 25 March is Dantedì, the national day dedicated to Dante Alighieri, established by the Council of Ministers in 2020.
Independence Day
Greece’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs identifies March 25 with the beginning of the 1821–1830 independence struggle, while the Ministry of Labour lists Greek Independence Day on March 25 as…
International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
A/RES/62/122
International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members
A/RES/49/59
National Medal of Honor Day
Congressional Medal of Honor Society; congressional designation described by the Society