Baltimore, Maryland

1814Star-Spangled Banner Written: Francis Scott Key watched the British bombardment of Fort McHenry from a ship in Baltimore Harbor. When dawn revealed the American flag still flying, he wrote the poem that became the national anthem.

1827B&O Railroad Founded: The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was chartered as America's first common carrier railroad. It launched the railroad era and established Baltimore as a major transportation hub.

2015Freddie Gray Unrest: The death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray from injuries sustained in police custody sparked days of protests and riots. A state of emergency was declared and the National Guard was deployed.

1904Great Baltimore Fire: A fire burned for over 30 hours, destroying 140 acres and 1,500 buildings in downtown Baltimore. The disaster led to nationwide standardization of fire hose couplings.

1893Johns Hopkins Medical Revolution: Johns Hopkins Hospital's medical school opened with a revolutionary curriculum that introduced residency training. The 'Hopkins model' became the standard for American medical education.

1861Pratt Street Riot: Confederate sympathizers attacked Union troops marching through Baltimore, killing four soldiers and 12 civilians in the first bloodshed of the Civil War.

1877Great Railroad Strike: Baltimore was the epicenter of the first nationwide labor strike, as railroad workers protested wage cuts. Federal troops were deployed for the first time during a labor dispute.

1966Baltimore Orioles Win First World Series: The Orioles swept the Los Angeles Dodgers to win their first World Series, beginning a dynasty that would dominate baseball in Baltimore.

1984Colts Leave Baltimore: The Baltimore Colts relocated to Indianapolis overnight in Mayflower trucks, devastating the city's sports identity. Baltimore wouldn't have an NFL team again until the Ravens arrived in 1996.

1729Baltimore Founded: Baltimore Town was established as a tobacco port on the Patapsco River. Its deep harbor and strategic location made it one of the most important ports in the American colonies.