Maryland State Flag - History, Design, and Symbolism #1206978 (License: Personal Use)

The Maryland flag is one of the few U.S. state flags based on a historical coat of arms, split into four quadrants: alternating black-and-yellow diagonal stripes (Calvert family) and red-and-white crosses (Crossland family). Adopted officially in 1904, it honors Lord Baltimore’s lineage and remains a powerful symbol of Maryland’s colonial heritage and identity. Its distinctive checkerboard-like pattern makes it highly visible and widely used in civic, educational, and tourism contexts.

Used on government websites, educational resources, tourism portals, and civic events; matches user intent for learning about state symbols, history, or designing Maryland-themed content.