1. On March 23, 1775, the Maryland Convention authorized the creation of a Committee of Observation to monitor and report on British activities throughout the colony. This committee was part of the growing resistance to British rule in the American colonies, and would help lay the groundwork for the coming revolution.

2. In 1832, the Maryland Senate approved a bill to establish a system of public education in the state. This was a significant milestone in the history of education in Maryland, and helped to lay the foundation for the modern system of public schools.

3. On this day in 1859, the Maryland Agricultural College (now known as the University of Maryland, College Park) was established by an act of the Maryland General Assembly. The college would go on to become one of the leading institutions of higher education in the state and the country.

4. In 1903, the Maryland General Assembly ratified the 17th Amendment to the US Constitution, which provided for the direct election of US Senators by the people. This was a major step forward for democracy in the state and the country, and helped to ensure that Senators were more directly accountable to the people they represented.

5. On March 23, 1950, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad implemented a new limited-stop express train service between Washington, D.C. and New York City. The new service, called the "Capitol Limited," was one of the fastest and most luxurious trains of its time, and helped to cement the B&O's reputation as one of the premier railroads in the country.