Politics of Maryland in 1985
Politics in Maryland in 1985 were largely dominated by the Democratic Party, which held a majority of both houses of the General Assembly and the Governor’s office. The state had elected its first African-American Governor, William Donald Schaefer, who served from 1987 to 1995. His inauguration in January 1987 marked a major milestone for racial equality in Maryland politics. Schaefer was also the first Maryland governor to serve two consecutive terms since 1867.
The Democrats also held a majority in the state senate, with 32 out of 47 seats, and a larger majority in the House of Delegates with 88 out of 141 seats. In November 1985, Richard S. Madaleno Jr., a Democrat from Montgomery County, was elected as the first openly gay member of the General Assembly. During his time in office he worked to pass legislation that protected LGBT rights and increased funding for HIV/AIDS programs.
The Republican Party was still relatively weak in Maryland during this time period but they had some successes at local levels including electing their first African-American mayor in Baltimore City, Clarence “Du” Burns, who served from 1987 to 1988. Republicans also won several races for Mayor and County Executive positions across Maryland during this period as well as some statewide offices such as Attorney General and Comptroller.
In addition to partisan politics, there were several important initiatives on the ballot during 1985 including a referendum on legalizing casino gambling which passed by nearly 2-to-1 margin; an initiative supporting restrictions on handguns; and an initiative that would have allowed counties to levy taxes without voter approval which failed narrowly after intense opposition from business groups.
According to Homethodology, politics during 1985 saw significant changes with Democrats continuing their dominance over most statewide offices while Republicans made gains at local levels and certain initiatives passing or failing due to strong public support or opposition respectively. As Maryland continued to evolve politically throughout this decade it became clear that both parties had an important role to play if they wanted their respective agendas implemented at all levels of government moving forward into the future.
Population of Maryland in 1985
The population of Maryland in 1985 was an estimated 4,216,975 people, making it the 19th most populous state in the US at that time. The majority of the population was white (81.3%), followed by African Americans (12.3%), Hispanics and Latinos (2.9%), and other races (3.5%). The majority of the population lived in urban areas such as Baltimore City (784,000) and Prince George’s County (664,000).
The median household income for Marylanders in 1985 was $31,872 per year compared to the national median household income of $25,958. The poverty rate in 1985 was 11.7%, which was higher than the national average of 11%.
In terms of education attainment, 26% of Marylanders over 25 had a bachelor’s degree or higher compared to 22% nationally. Additionally, 69% had completed high school or higher compared to 65% nationally.
As far as employment went, manufacturing accounted for 16% of all jobs in Maryland while Retail Trade accounted for 13%. Other important industries included Finance/Insurance/Real Estate at 11%, Services at 10%, Transportation/Public Utilities and Wholesale Trade each at 9%, Construction at 8%. Government jobs accounted for 17% of all jobs with State Government accounting for 7%.
According to Usvsukenglish, Maryland’s population in 1985 was diverse and well-educated with a median household income that slightly exceeded the national average and an unemployment rate slightly lower than the national average. Manufacturing was still an important industry although it had decreased from its peak a few decades prior while Retail Trade had become increasingly important as well as government jobs which accounted for a large portion of total employment numbers during this time period.
Economy of Maryland in 1985
The economy of Maryland in 1985 was largely driven by the manufacturing sector, which accounted for 16% of all jobs in the state. This was followed by Retail Trade (13%), Finance/Insurance/Real Estate (11%), Services (10%), Transportation/Public Utilities and Wholesale Trade (9%) and Construction (8%). Government jobs accounted for 17% of all employment with State Government accounting for 7%.
In terms of gross state product, Maryland’s GDP was estimated to be $108.6 billion in 1985, making it the 10th largest economy in the US at that time. The majority of GDP came from services such as finance, insurance, real estate, health care and social assistance. Manufacturing also contributed significantly to GDP with an estimated 13%, while government spending accounted for 11%.
In terms of personal income, Marylanders earned an average annual wage of $15,735 in 1985 compared to the national average of $13,630. The unemployment rate was 5.5%, which was slightly lower than the national average of 6%.
The agricultural sector had a relatively small impact on the state’s economy in 1985. The main crops were corn and soybeans while poultry farming also contributed significantly to agricultural output. Forestry and fishing were also important sectors during this time period.
According to Acronymmonster, Maryland’s economy in 1985 was largely driven by the manufacturing sector with services such as finance/insurance/real estate providing additional economic output. Personal income was higher than the national average while unemployment rates were slightly lower than the national average. Agriculture had a small but significant impact on economic activity while forestry and fishing provided additional economic benefits during this time period.
Events held in Maryland in 1985
In 1985, Maryland hosted a wide variety of events that brought people from all over the state and beyond. The Baltimore Orioles won the World Series that year, making them the first team in Maryland to do so since the St. Louis Browns in 1944. This created a wave of excitement throughout the state and drew fans from near and far to celebrate at Camden Yards.
The Maryland State Fair was also held in 1985 and featured a variety of activities such as rides, games, food vendors, livestock shows, agricultural displays and more. The fair was attended by thousands of people who enjoyed the activities as well as live entertainment such as concerts and performances.
Another popular event held in 1985 was the Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. This event drew crowds from across the state to watch some of the best horses compete for one of Thoroughbred racing’s most prestigious titles.
The Maryland Renaissance Festival also took place during this time period. This festival celebrated renaissance culture with jousting tournaments, costumed characters, music performances, plays and feasts that were attended by thousands of visitors each year.
In addition to these events, there were many other smaller festivals taking place throughout Maryland in 1985 including arts festivals such as ArtScape in Baltimore; music festivals such as Artscape Music Festival; beer festivals like Frederick Beer Week; and cultural celebrations like Juneteenth Festival in Annapolis.
Overall, 1985 was an exciting year for events in Maryland with something for everyone to enjoy regardless of their interests or background. From professional sports teams to local festivals and cultural celebrations, there were plenty of opportunities for people to experience something new or celebrate something familiar during this time period.