Maryland became the 7th state to join the United States on April 28, 1788. Originally part of the thirteen British colonies, Maryland played a key role in the nation's early development. The area was first settled in 1634 by English Catholics seeking religious freedom, led by Cecil Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore. The colony grew steadily and became a center of trade, agriculture, and culture.

Maryland was a critical state during the American Revolution, contributing soldiers and support to the fight for independence. It was one of the original thirteen colonies that declared independence from Britain in 1776. In 1781, Maryland was one of the states to sign the Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the United States, but it was not until after the Constitution was drafted and ratified that Maryland officially became a state.

Maryland ratified the U.S. Constitution on April 28, 1788, after a period of debate and negotiations. The state was pivotal in the formation of the new nation, especially with its strategic location between the North and the South, and it also played a key role in the development of the U.S. government, including the establishment of Washington, D.C., which was built on land donated by Maryland and Virginia.

The state's history of religious freedom, strategic importance, and involvement in both the Revolutionary War and the Constitutional debates has shaped its significance in early American history.