1. Battle of Monocacy: On July 14, 1864, the Battle of Monocacy took place in Frederick County, Maryland during the American Civil War. The battle was fought between Union soldiers under the command of Major General Lew Wallace and Confederate soldiers led by Lieutenant General Jubal Early. Although the Union soldiers were eventually defeated, the battle delayed the Confederate advance on Washington, D.C.

2. Great Baltimore Fire: On July 14, 1904, the Great Baltimore Fire erupted in downtown Baltimore, Maryland. The fire started in the basement of a building on West German Street and quickly spread, eventually destroying over 1,500 buildings across 140 acres. Despite the extensive damage, only one person died as a result of the fire.

3. Chesapeake Bay Bridge Opens: On July 14, 1952, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge officially opened for traffic. The bridge spans 4.3 miles across the Chesapeake Bay, connecting the Western Shore and Eastern Shore of Maryland. The bridge is a crucial transportation link, allowing for easy travel between the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area and the beaches of Maryland and Delaware.

4. Baltimore Colts Join the NFL: On July 14, 1953, the Baltimore Colts officially joined the National Football League (NFL). The Colts played in Baltimore from 1953 to 1983 and won three NFL championships, including Super Bowl V in 1971.

5. "The Star-Spangled Banner" Becomes National Anthem: On July 14, 1930, "The Star-Spangled Banner" was officially designated as the national anthem of the United States by an act of Congress. The song was written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 while he watched the bombardment of Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. The flag that inspired the song is on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.