1524, April. Giovanni de Verrazano (1485-1528), Florentine explorer, led French expedition that explored Worcester County coast.
1608, June. Capt. John Smith sailed up Wicomico River to present day Pocomoke City.
1659. Seaside War against Assateague by Col. Edward Scarborough of Virginia.
1678, June 16. Treaty between Maryland and Assateague Emperor Amoungus ordered Assateagues on to five reservations along Pocomoke River.
1684. Presbyterians under Francis Makemie build church at Snow Hill, first in colonies.
1686. Indian reservation laid out at Askiminokonson, largest Indian town in Maryland, near Snow Hill.
1742. Worcester County erected from part of Somerset County.
1743. First Courthouse constructed at Snow Hill.
1779, Jan. 5. Stephen Decatur (1779-1820), U.S. Navy Commodore, born at Sinepuxent.
1812. Snow Hill incorporated.
1830. Nassawango Iron Furnace built by Maryland Iron Company near Snow Hill.
1834, Nov. 24. Fire destroyed Courthouse and much of Snow Hill.
1836. Second Courthouse built at Snow Hill.
1845, Feb. 8. John Walter Smith (1845-1925), Governor of Maryland, born in Snow Hill.
1851, July 7. Charles Albert Tindley (1851-1933) born in Berlin, Maryland. His gospel song, "I'll Overcome Some Day," (1901) is considered the source for civil rights anthem, "We Shall Overcome."
1861, Oct. 31-1862, Feb. William Henry Purnell (1826-1902) of Worcester County organized and commanded Purnell Legion, Union forces, serving on Eastern Shore.
1865. New Town incorporated (present day Pocomoke City).
1867. Wicomico County created from parts of Somerset and Worcester counties.
1868. Berlin incorporated.
1875, July 4. Atlantic Hotel opened, first hotel in Ocean City.
1876. Railroad/carriage trestle crossed Sinepuxent Bay at Ocean City.
1878. Pokemoke City Incorporated.
1878. U.S. Life-Saving Service established at Ocean City.
1880. Ocean City incorporated.
1893, Aug. 7. Fire consumed Courthouse, Jail, and other buildings at Snow Hill.
![[photo, Worcester County Courthouse, One West Market St., Snow Hill, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/wo/images/i005496b.jpg)
1894. Third Courthouse completed at Snow Hill.
1899, Oct. 26. William Julius (Judy) Johnson (1899-1989), first African American elected to Baseball Hall of Fame, born in Snow Hill.
Worcester County Courthouse, One West Market St., Snow Hill, Maryland, August 2000. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
1910. Boardwalk constructed at Ocean City.
1933. Storm cut inlet at Ocean City.
1965. Assateague Island became State park.
![[photo, Feral horses [Assateague horses], Assateague Island National Park Seashore (Worcester County), Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/01glance/wildlife/mammals/images/1198-1-07863b.jpg)
1965. Assateague Island National Seashore was established under National Park Service.
1971. First high-rise condominium, Ocean City.
2004, March 2. Electronic voting system used during primary elections at polling places and for absentee ballots in all counties and Baltimore City.
Feral horse [Assateague horse], Assateague Island National Park Seashore (Worcester County), October 2016. Photo by Sarah A. Hanks.
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