The once relatively united Unconditional Union Party had controlled the state during much of the war but now was suffering defections as their Democratic members, like Governor Thomas Swann, returned to the conservative fold. Meeting in Baltimore for their nominating convention, the party passed resolutions that, while they glossed over the thorny questions of black suffrage, strongly supported the U.S. Congress and its policies while decrying those of President Johnson. (By John Osborne)

Maryland's Democratic Party met at their convention to nominate candidates for minor state offices and for the national convention upcoming in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  The party was rebuilding after the trauma of the Civil War years and was gaining significant momentum that would before long return the state to Democratic control.  In addition to the nominations, resolutions were passed strongly supporting President Johnson and condemning the radicals in the United States Congress.  (By John Osborne)

The Peabody Institute, begun nine years before and now operating as the significant intellectual core of Baltimore, was formally inaugurated in the presence of its benefactor, the American-born British banker George Peabody, back in the United States on a visit. Governor Swann of Maryland gave a speech of welcome and Peabody himself spoke, making a plea for Baltimore to become a "daystar of political tolerance and charity" turning its back on the divided past and becoming an example of reconciliation after "the ravages of war."  (By John Osborne)

A fundraising fair, the Ladies' Southern Relief Fair opened on this day in Baltimore, Maryland. The event divided the city since it was the brainchild of several former southern sympathizing women, including its chairperson, Jane Gilmore Howard, whose six sons all served in the Confederate Army.  No official city or state support was given and several city newspapers ignored it but the effort garnered $164,569.97 for the suffering South a significantly higher amount than the $86,000 the 1864 Sanitary Fair had raised in the city for the Union war effort.  (By John Osborne)

In Maryland, a rigorous Sunday "blue law" passed earlier in the year came into operation on this day.  The law banned on any Sunday the sale of alcoholic beverages of any kind, all types of tobacco products, and any medicines with out an explicit doctor's order.  Added to this was a fine of five dollars imposed on any man found working on Sunday. Blue laws have been a field of legal conflict in Maryland ever since. (By John Osborne)