1. On August 16, 1814, British troops marched into Washington, D.C. and burned down the Capitol, the White House, and other government buildings during the War of 1812. This event is known as the Burning of Washington and was a significant moment in American history.
2. In 1829, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company was established in Maryland. This canal was instrumental in transporting goods and people from Washington, D.C. to the Ohio River Valley and was in operation until 1924.
3. August 16, 1896 saw the birth of Helen Delich Bentley, a Maryland politician and journalist who served as a member of Congress from 1985 to 1995. She was known for her work advocating for the Port of Baltimore and increasing trade with China.
4. In 1958, the Bay Bridge in Maryland opened to the public. This two-lane bridge spans 4.3 miles across the Chesapeake Bay and connects the Eastern Shore to the rest of the state.
5. On August 16, 2006, the Maryland Court of Appeals ruled that businesses must provide health care benefits to domestic partners of employees. This decision was significant for same-sex couples in Maryland and marked a step towards equality in the state.