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According to INDEXDOTCOM, Maryland was founded in 1634 as a British colony and named after Queen Henrietta Maria, the wife of King Charles I of England. The first settlers were primarily English Catholics who had been persecuted for their faith in England. Maryland was one of the original Thirteen Colonies that declared its independence from Britain during the American Revolution. During the war, Baltimore served as a major port for privateers attacking British ships and protecting American commerce. Following the revolution, Maryland became one of the first states to ratify the United States Constitution in 1788. In 1814, during the War of 1812, British forces invaded Washington, D.C., and burned many public buildings including the White House and Capitol Building. In response, citizens from Maryland and other states formed a militia to help defend Washington against further attacks. This militia became known as “The Defenders of Baltimore.” After the Civil War ended in 1865, Maryland ratified the Thirteenth Amendment to abolish slavery in 1867, becoming one of only three states to do so at that time. In addition to its role in abolishing slavery, Maryland also played an important role in desegregation efforts following World War II by becoming one of only two states (along with Delaware) to voluntarily desegregate its public schools before any federal mandate was issued ordering them to do so. Today, Maryland is home to several major cities including Baltimore and Washington D.C., which are both centers of political power and economic activity within the state and nation as a whole. Check Agooddir for more about Maryland.