The Birthplace of Religious Freedom in America

Maryland is the birthplace of religious freedom in America.  Lord Baltimore, who was Catholic, established the Maryland colony as a haven for religious toleration, and historians now regard Maryland as the birthplace of religious freedom in the United States.

This article in the Pilot explains how it happened.  The settlers landed on St. Clement's Island and celebrated Mass as thanksgiving to God.  There's a cross made by one of the early settlers, called St. Clement's cross that was just found, after 400 years.  It is displayed on St. Clement Island.