History of Baltimore

The history of Baltimore spans back to 1659, when the Baltimore County was declared erected by the General Assembly of Maryland. The area where the city now lays was settled by David Jones in 1661. While this has been inhabited by Indigenous people since the 10th millennium BCE, it was not until European settlers arrived that it was given the name Baltimore, after the Province of Maryland's founding proprietor.

The city of Baltimore was founded in 1729. Early on, it was largely populated by German immigrants. The city gained prominence as a major hub for trade and commerce after successfully fending off British forces during the War of 1812. Seeing to maintain this position, the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad was established in 1829, making it one of the first commercial railroad lines in the world.

Before the Civil War, Baltimore was home to the largest free Black community in the U.S. It became known as a "city of refuge" and a destination for many former slaves, including Frederick Douglass. However, the city's growing Black population caused unease among white residents, leading to increased racial tensions after the war.

Baltimore has been the site of early organization for social movements, including women's suffrage and the civil rights movement of the 20th century.