Монгомери отмечает 250-летие: от аграрного уезда до крупнейшего округа штата Мэриленд

1:03 Established on Sept. 6, 1776, the county has grown from a largely agricultural community into Maryland’s most populous county, with more than 1 million residents. County Executive Marc Elrich said the anniversary is a chance to celebrate Montgomery County’s history while acknowledging difficult chapters in its past. “Reaching our 250th anniversary is an important milestone, but commemorating our history also requires us to talk honestly about all of it,” Elrich said in a statement. Throughout September, the county plans to spotlight people, places and events that helped shape Montgomery County. Related stories 2 Montgomery Co. students found with weapons at Magruder High School  Family of man with Down syndrome who spent days trapped in Metro station sues transit agency Search continues for swimmer who went missing in Potomac River How a Montgomery County backyard helped launch the Special Olympics Among those highlighted is Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who opened the first Special Olympics at Chicago’s Soldier Field on July 20, 1968. “With these words on their lips, let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt,” she said at the opening ceremony. The idea began six years earlier, when Shriver opened Camp Shriver in the backyard of her Montgomery County home after a mother said she couldn’t find a summer camp for a child with an intellectual disability. “It had horseback riding, it had archery, it had obstacle courses,” Shriver said. Maria and Mark Shriver said about 100 athletes and volunteers came to their home each day. “Playing in the backyard, swimming in a pool. They’re always part of the family,” Mark Shriver said. The camp was also inspired by Shriver’s older sister, Rosemary Kennedy, who had an intellectual disability. “This is not a sweet movement, and I’ve heard people think that the oath for Special Olympics is a sweet one and about bravery,” Eunice said. “My grandma took that oath from the gladiators of ancient Rome, so it’s not a sweet oath. It’s an oath that gladiators used.” Today, more than 5.5 million Special Olympics athletes participate around the world. Anniversary weekend plans The anniversary weekend also features two longtime Labor Day traditions. The Kensington Labor Day Parade and Festival and the Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade will both be held Monday, Sept. 7, featuring community groups, performers, area organizations and public officials. Later in the week, the county will mark another significant anniversary: 25 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. A memorial ceremony will be held Friday, Sept. 11, from 8:45 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Courthouse Square Park, near the intersection of Maryland Avenue and Jefferson Street in Rockville. The ceremony will honor the nearly 3,000 people killed in the attacks, including 11 Montgomery County residents, as well as first responders and others who assisted in the aftermath. “September 11 remains a painful part of our nation’s history and a deeply personal loss for many families in Montgomery County,” Elrich said. More information about the county’s anniversary celebrations is available at Montgomery250.org. Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here. © 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.