1. On October 30, 1852, Maryland's first railroad opened. The Baltimore and Potomac Railroad connected Baltimore with Washington, D.C., and was seen as a major transportation breakthrough for the state.

2. In 1950, Maryland's first television station, WMAR-TV, went on the air on October 30. The station was originally owned by The Baltimore Sun and was the first television station in the state to broadcast in color.

3. On October 30, 1974, eight student activists at the University of Maryland were arrested for protesting the university's investments in South Africa during apartheid. The protest led to a series of demonstrations and calls for divestment from companies that were doing business in South Africa.

4. In 2007, Maryland became the first state on the East Coast to ban smoking in bars and restaurants. The ban went into effect on October 30 and was seen as a major victory for public health advocates.

5. On October 30, 2010, Maryland quarterback Danny O'Brien set a school record by throwing for 417 yards in a game against Wake Forest. The record still stands today as one of the greatest individual performances in Maryland football history.