Celebrating America's 250 Years

Celebrating America's 250 Years

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


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.


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. 


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.​