This September, the state of Maryland, USA will officially recognise the achievements of videogame development studio Firaxis, and studio head Sid Meier, and has proclaimed September 21st 2010 “Sid Meier’s Civilization V Day” – the day that the PC strategy game is released in the US.

The gubernatorial proclamation was signed recently by Governor Martin O’Malley, and cited the importance of the Maryland-based development house and its Canada-born founder as a reason to officially recognise and celebrate the date. A statement from the governor read:

“Sid Meier is known throughout Maryland and the world as a pioneer of electronic gaming, having co-founded his first studio [Microprose] in Baltimore County, Maryland in 1982, and today continuing a tradition of developing the talent and creativity of future generations.”

Following the formation of Microprose in 1982, Meier went on to form Firaxis in 1996, which continued to develop entries to the hit Civilization series of strategy games, as well as Pirates! According to the Maryland governor’s statement, Meier is “a longtime and celebrated Marylander who has spent his full professional life in this State.”

The decree ends thus, in official fashion:

“Now, therefore, I, Martin O’Malley, Governor of the State of Maryland, do hereby pay tribute to the outstanding achievements of Sid Meier on this day, July 28, 2010, and hereby recognize September 21, 2010, as Sid Meier’s Civilization V Day, and call upon the people of our State to join in celebrating this salute.”

Feel like celebrating Civilization V’s release? Why not look into the purchase of a posh Special Edition version of the game?