Seventh State Flag Adopted 1904 Date Admitted: 1788 State Capital: Annapolis State Motto: "Manly Deeds, Womanly Words" Nickname: The Free State State Song: "Maryland! My Maryland!" State Flower: Black-eyed Susan State Tree: White Oak State Bird: Baltimore Oriole Maryland began as an English colony in 1634 by Cecil Calvert who was known as the second Lord Baltimore, his father being the first Lord Baltimore. The black and gold colors and design represent the Calvert family. The red and white colors and design represent the Crossland family which was the family name of the first Lord Baltimore’s mother. Officially whenever the state flag is flown there should be a "cross botonee" (red and white painted metal) mounted on the top of the flagpole.