1524, April. Giovanni de Verrazano (1485-1528), Florentine explorer, led French expedition that explored Worcester County coast.
1608, June. Capt. John Smith sailed up Wicomico River to present-day Pocomoke City.
1659. "Seaside War" against Assateagues by Col. Edward Scarborough of Virginia.
1662. Treaty with Assateagues and Nanticoke.
1668. Surveyors marked Maryland-Virginia boundary line using large trees near present-day Pocomoke City.
1678, June 16. Treaty between Maryland and Assateague Emperor Amonugus ordered Assateagues onto five reservations along Pocomoke River.
1684. Presbyterians under Francis Makemie build church at Snow Hill, first in colonies.
1686. Indian reservation laid out at Askiminokonson, largest Indian town in Maryland, near Snow Hill.
1722. Treaty with Assateagues.
1742. Treaty with Assateagues.
1742. Worcester County erected from part of Somerset County.
1743. First Courthouse completed at Snow Hill.
1779, Jan. 5. Stephen Decatur (1779-1820), U.S. Navy Commodore, born at Sinepuxent.
1812. Snow Hill incorporated.
1830. Nassawango Iron Furnace built by Maryland Iron Company near Snow Hill to make iron from bog ore.
1834, Nov. 24. Fire destroyed Courthouse and much of Snow Hill.
1836. Second Courthouse built at Snow Hill.
1845, Feb. 8. John Walter Smith (1845-1925), Governor of Maryland, born in Snow Hill.
1849. Nassawango Iron Furnace closed.
![[photo, Charles Albert Tindley poster, Berlin Welcome Cennter, 14 South Main St., Berlin, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/wo/chron/images/1198-1-08911b.jpg)
1851, July 7. Charles Albert Tindley (1851-1933) born in Berlin, Maryland. His gospel song, "I'll Overcome Some Day," (1901) is considered the source for civil rights anthem, "We Shall Overcome."
1861, Oct. 31-1862, Feb. William Henry Purnell (1826-1902) of Worcester County organized and commanded Purnell Legion, Union forces, serving on Eastern Shore.
1865, March 21. New Town incorporated (present-day Pocomoke City).
1867. Wicomico County created from parts of Somerset and Worcester counties.
1868. Berlin incorporated.
1875, July 4. Atlantic Hotel opened, first hotel in Ocean City.
Charles Albert Tindley poster, Berlin Welcome Cennter, 14 South Main St., Berlin, Maryland, June 2018. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
1878. Pokemoke City Incorporated.
1878. U.S. Life-Saving Service established at Ocean City.
1880. Ocean City incorporated.
1882-1883. Courthouse underwent renovations.
![[photo, Worcester County Courthouse, One West Market St., Snow Hill, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/wo/jud/images/buildings/1198-1-08933c.jpg)
1893, Aug. 7. Fire consumed Courthouse, Jail, and other buildings at Snow Hill.
1894. Third Courthouse completed at Snow Hill.
1899, Oct. 26. William Julius (Judy) Johnson (1899-1989), first African American elected to Baseball Hall of Fame, born in Snow Hill.
Worcester County Courthouse, One West Market St., Snow Hill, Maryland, June 2018. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
![[photo, Feral horses [Assateague horses], Assateague Island National Park Seashore, Berlin, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/wo/images/assateague/1198-1-08527b.jpg)
1906, June 14. Ed Watson lynched at Pocomoke.
1910. Permanent Boardwalk constructed at Ocean City.
1933. Chesapeake-Potomac Hurricane cut inlet at Ocean City.
1965. Assateague Island became State park.
Feral horse [Assateague horse], Assateague Island National Park Seashore, Berlin, Maryland, May 2018. Photo by Sarah A. Hanks.
![[photo, Feral horses [Assateague horses], Assateague Island National Park Seashore, Berlin, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/01glance/wildlife/mammals/images/1198-1-07863b.jpg)
1965. Assateague Island National Seashore was established under National Park Service.
1971. First high-rise condominium, Ocean City.
2004, March 2. Electronic voting system used during primary elections at polling places and for absentee ballots in all counties and Baltimore City.
Feral horse [Assateague horse], Assateague Island National Park Seashore, Berlin, Maryland, October 2016. Photo by Sarah A. Hanks.
![[photo, Ocean Downs Casino, Berlin, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/wo/images/buildings/1198-1-08930c.jpg)
2011, Jan. 4. Ocean Downs Casino, the second gambling facility in Maryland with video lottery terminals [slot machines], opened at Berlin.
Ocean Downs Casino, Berlin, Maryland, June 2018. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
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