Celebrating America's 250 Years

Celebrating America's 250 Years

Celebrate Maryland's role in American history!Boiler Plate - Roxxane Rios Icon


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From June 15, 2026, through July 17, 2026, LBPD patrons are invited to explore key moments in Maryland history that shaped the story of the United States.

Through a series of interactive adventures, participants will travel across time to restore pivotal moments that helped define the nation. Each mission is presented through a self-guided, text-based game hosted in Google Forms, where players follow clues, answer historical questions, and work to repair the timeline.

Along the way, you’ll discover new books, podcasts, videos, and programs that bring these moments in history to life.

Participants are encouraged to explore all of the activities offered throughout the program.

Patrons who complete all three missions and track their reading, listening, watching, and other library activities will be eligible for a completion prize. To complete the program, you must log at least 5 books, 2 podcasts, and 2 videos, attend or complete 1 library activity, and complete all three text-based games. ​

The library will be using Beanstack to log and track all activities. All games and interactivities are listed below. 


 Content Warning

​​Materials and subject matters provided below may not be suitable for all audiences. 


​This activity is recommended for ages 16 and older.


 Register & Track

 Suggested Reading
​The books listed below are from the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled.

​​​Roxxane Rios Boiler: Where in Maryland History is Roxxane Rios?

Game Background:


History is in danger, and the world doesn’t know it!

Across Maryland’s timeline, priceless artifacts are vanishing from pivotal moments, making one change that ripples throughout history. Behind the chaos is a rogue organization known as T.I.D.E., the Temporal Interference and Distortion Experts. This group, made up of mercenaries, is determined to twist history for their own gain. Led by their master thief, Roxxane “Rewind” Rios, and supported by specialist henchmen, T.I.D.E. strikes at the exact moment when history must remain unchanged, stealing symbols, documents, and treasures that hold the timeline together. 
TIDE Logo: a hourglass with sand and the TIDE text


Standing in their way is P.A.S.T, the Preservation Agency for the Stabilization of Time. P.A.S.T agents are historians, librarians, problem-solvers, and code-breakers who travel through time to restore the stolen artifacts and ensure that history remains unchanged.
And they need your help.

PAST Logo. An hour glass with the PAST text.

As a Gumshoe Detective, you’ll follow clues left behind in different eras, answer questions that test your knowledge, and try to outsmart T.I.D.E.’s operatives. Every mission you complete helps repair the timeline and proves you have what it takes to protect the past, present, and future. As you move through the games, you will be promoted!

Time is shifting. The trail is going cold. Hurry and save history!


Interactive Games


​​Your First Mission: The Missing Garrison Flag​​​​

During the War of 1812, the Battle of Baltimore hangs in the balance as British forces bombard Fort McHenry through the night. But something is wrong! The massive garrison flag that should fly over the fort has vanished. Without it, the moment that inspires a young lawyer watching from the harbor may never happen, and a symbol of American resilience could be lost forever. Travel to Baltimore Harbor, uncover the truth behind the missing flag, and restore the moment before dawn breaks. ​

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Your Second Mission: The Lantern Goes Dark​

On a quiet night on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, a woman prepares to make a dangerous journey to freedom. But the lantern she depends on to navigate the dark marshlands has vanished, threatening to trap her before the escape even begins. If she is captured, a future leader of the Underground Railroad never reaches freedom, and countless others may never find their way north. Follow the trail through the night and recover what was taken before the light of hope disappears.​


Your Third Mission: The King That Almost Was​

In the winter of 1783, a victorious general prepares to surrender his power before Congress in Annapolis. But the speech and documents that will formalize that moment suddenly disappear, leaving the chamber filled with uncertainty. Without this public act of restraint, whispers grow louder, and the fragile young republic risks sliding toward military rule or monarchy. Recover the missing documents and restore the moment before doubt reshapes the nation’s future.​


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Date
  
Event Name
  
Event Description
Registration URL
  
War of 1812 Digital Scavenger Hunt
Explore more about the War of 1812 and how it impacted Maryland. 
War of 1812 Scavenger Hunt
Underground Railroad Digital Scavenger Hunt
Learn more about the Underground Railroad! 
Underground Railroad Scavenger Hunt
Revolutionary War Digital Scavenger Hunt
Learn more about the Revolutionary War in Maryland! 
Revolution Scavenger Hunt
7/7/2026Preservation Maryland: Preservation Basics
Join Preservation Maryland and the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled for Preservation Basics. The program will provide an introduction to historic preservation, discussing the importance of preserving and reusing our historic buildings, how Preservation Maryland supports preservation efforts for all Marylanders, and how you can get involved in documenting and protecting historic resources in your community. Registration required. ​
Preservation MD
7/9/2026The Maryland State Archives
Learn about the Maryland State Archives, what you can expect when using our resources or visiting, and why preserving our state’s history is important for the future. Discover the wealth of resources available and how our staff is improving ADA accessibility. Founded in 1935, the Maryland State Archives is the central repository for Maryland’s government records of permanent value. Records date from the founding of the Maryland colony in 1634 and sometimes as recent as the 21st century. ​

Registration Link
  
Organization Name
  
Description
Link
  
Preservation Maryland LogoPreservation Maryland

In 1931, Preservation Maryland was founded with the single belief: that history makes our lives better. We still believe that today. As Maryland’s only statewide historic preservation nonprofit, we are harnessing the power of historic places by revitalizing and reinvesting in communities, advocating, and building the historic trades workforce for the benefit of all.​​​

https://preservationmaryland.org/
Friends LogoFriends of Maryland LBPD

Friends of the Maryland Library for the Blind and Print Disabled is a nonprofit volunteer organization founded in 1988 that raises funds to expand library programs and services beyond state and federal support. The Friends promote the library, support patrons a​​nd staff, identify community needs, and partner with organizations and advocates to strengthen inclusive services and special initiatives.​​

https://friendsmdlbpd.org/
Maryland State Library LogoMaryland State Archives
Founded in 1935, the Maryland State Archives is the central repository for Maryland’s government records of permanent value. Records date from the founding of the Maryland colony in 1634 and sometimes as recent as the 21st century. Records include many executive, legislative, and judicial records,  county court, land, and probate records, reports and publications of State, county, and municipal governments, special collections of maps, newspapers, photographs, and religious records.​
https://msa.maryland.gov/

 Curated Podcasts
​Podcasts are curated only and not endorsed or fact-checked by the Maryland State Library for the Blind or Print Disabled, nor the Maryland State Library Agency. All commentary is the reflection of the host. Some materials may not be suitable for all audiences. ​


Battle of 1812 and Fort McHenry


Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad


George Washington and the Revolutionary War

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 Curated Videos
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Videos are curated only and not endorsed or fact checked by the Maryland State Library for the Blind or Print Disabled, nor the Maryland State Library Agency. All commentary is the reflection of the host. Some materials may not be suitable for all audiences. 


Battle of 1812 and Fort McHenry


Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad


George Washington and the Revolutionary War

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