What a year it's been for Maryland and its fair citizens! Turns out quite a few of our favorite Marylanders got the credit they deserved this year--so let's take a moment to give them a round of applause.
Michael Phelps
Come on, did you really think we wouldn't kick this list off with our buddy Mike? Mr. Phelps has had quite the year, what with retiring at the top of his game, breaking a world record for most Olympic gold medals, you know, no biggie. If that wasn't enough, he also married his fiancee Nicole in June, a month after the birth of their adorable son Boomer. Who says you can't balance work life and family life? Congrats all around, Michael Phelps!
Photo via CBS Sports
Katie Ledecky
Let us not think that Michael Phelps is the only swimmer from Maryland who had an incredible year--the Free State sure produces some incredible swimmers, and Katie Ledecky is proof. As of 2016, the 19-year-old girl wonder has broken 13 world records, and also nabbed a spot on the Time 100 Most Influential People list (and the youngest person ever to do so--hey, Ledecky's used to breaking records by now, right?).
Taraji P. Henson
The Empire star is a graduate of Oxon Hill High School in Oxon Hill--and she's been busy building an empire of her own! In 2016, she was named as one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine, released her autobiography, Around The Way Girl, and starred in Hidden Figures. Not too shabby!
Photo via People.com
Harriet Tubman
2016 was a year to show the Marylander, abolitionist, spy and all-around American hero Harriet Tubman some honor--in April, the US Treasury Department introduced a plan to get Tubman on the front of the $20 bill beginning in 2020.
Hairspray Live!
Baltimore's own musical theater show got the NBC musical treatment this year, thanks to a star-studded cast performing in the live musical performance. The show's already won 8 Tony awards and gotten two movies, so this was naturally the next step. Good morning, Baltimore, indeed!
Who else in Maryland had a great year? Let us know in the comments!
