Annapolis, Maryland

Maryland's elegant capital city on the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis served as the nation's capital in 1783-84 and is home to the U.S. Naval Academy. With more 18th-century brick buildings than any city in America and a deep maritime heritage, it's known as the 'Sailing Capital of the United States.'

Founded 1649 | Population 41,000 | Peak 41,000 (2024) | County Anne Arundel County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Annapolis, Maryland

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1649Puritan Settlement: Puritan settlers from Virginia founded Providence, later renamed Anne Arundel Town and then Annapolis.

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1694State Capital: Annapolis became the capital of Maryland, replacing St. Mary's City.

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1783U.S. Capital: Annapolis served as the temporary capital of the United States. The Treaty of Paris ending the Revolutionary War was ratified here in January 1784.

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1845Naval Academy Founded: The United States Naval Academy was established on a 10-acre Army fort, educating future Navy and Marine Corps officers.

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1767Colonial Architecture: The Maryland State House, the oldest state capitol in continuous use, was completed. George Washington resigned his military commission here in 1783.

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2018Capital Gazette Shooting: A gunman killed five employees of the Capital Gazette newspaper in one of the deadliest attacks on journalists in U.S. history.

Complete Historical Timeline

1649 Culture

Puritan Settlement

1694 Government

State Capital

1767 Culture

Colonial Architecture

1783 Government

U.S. Capital

1845 Government

Naval Academy Founded

2018 Crime

Capital Gazette Shooting

Did You Know?

Annapolis has more surviving 18th-century brick buildings than any other American city.

George Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief at the Maryland State House in 1783.

The Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial marks where the enslaved ancestor in 'Roots' arrived in 1767.

The Maryland State House is the oldest state capitol building still in continuous legislative use.

The Capital Gazette, one of America's oldest newspapers (founded 1727), survived a deadly 2018 shooting and published the next day.

Famous People from Annapolis, Maryland

Barbara Kingsolver

Writer, Poet · Born Apr 8, 1955 · Age 70

James M. Cain

Screenwriter, Writer · Born Jul 1, 1892 · Died Oct 27, 1977 (age 85)

Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Politician · Born Sep 19, 1737 · Died Nov 14, 1832 (age 95)

Debbie Meyer

Swimmer · Born Aug 14, 1952 · Age 73

Travis Pastrana

Stunt Performer, Film Producer · Born Oct 8, 1983 · Age 42