1. On August 2, 1776, Maryland's delegates to the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence. The state had previously been hesitant to support independence, but after some debate and persuasion, the delegates joined their colleagues in declaring their separation from Great Britain.

2. August 2, 1858, marked the beginning of a series of popular debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, who were both running for the U.S. Senate seat from Illinois. The debates, which focused on slavery and other important issues of the day, drew large crowds and helped to elevate Lincoln's national profile.

3. In 1923, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, one of Maryland's most iconic landmarks, opened to traffic. The bridge spans nearly five miles across the bay, connecting the eastern and western shores of the state and facilitating the movement of goods and people.

4. On August 2, 1956, the Maryland state flag was officially adopted. The flag is a unique design featuring the colors and symbols of the Calvert and Crossland families, who played important roles in the state's early history.

5. In more recent times, August 2, 2020 saw the opening of a new walk-through zoo at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. The exhibit, called "African Journey," allows visitors to get up close and personal with a variety of African animals, including giraffes, lions, and elephants.