Maryland State Flag - Official Design, History, and Symbolism #1370958 (License: Personal Use)

This illustration shows the official flag of Maryland, the only U.S. state flag based on a British heraldic banner. It features alternating quadrants: the black-and-yellow diagonal checks of the Calvert family (founders of Maryland) and the red-and-white cross bottony of the Crossland family (through Lady Cecilius Calvert). The flag’s distinctive design reflects Maryland’s colonial roots and Catholic-Protestant unity during the Civil War era.

Used on government websites, educational resources, tourism pages, and civic events to represent Maryland identity; matches user intent for learning about state symbols, history, or designing patriotic content.