In 1649, religious liberty was new. A Maryland law helped embed it in America’s founding.

"Maryland Pioneers Religious Freedom: Uncovering the Forgotten Law Behind the First Amendment In the early 1600s, the concept of religious freedom was a distant dream in the American colonies. However, a groundbreaking law passed in 17th-century Maryland is now being hailed as a precursor to the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The law, which extended religious tolerance to certain faiths, marked a significant departure from the prevailing intolerance of the time. As historians dig deeper into this forgotten chapter in American history, they're uncovering a fascinating story of how Maryland's pioneering approach to religious freedom paved the way for one of the country's most fundamental rights."

A 17th-century Maryland law that extended religious tolerance for some faiths is seen as a precursor to the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.