“ Annapolis” —  Encyclopedia Britannica

    Capital of the U.S. state of Maryland and seat of Anne Arundel county. The city lies along the Severn River at its mouth on Chesapeake Bay, 27 miles (43 km) southeast of Baltimore.

    Settled in 1649 as Providence by Virginian Puritans, it later was known as Town Land at Proctor's and Anne Arundel Town. In 1694 the colonial capital was moved there from St. Mary's City. The next year it was renamed to honor Princess Anne, who later, as queen, gave it a charter (1708). Annapolis patriots, like those of Boston, had a “tea party,” on Oct. 19, 1774, forcing the owner of the brig Peggy Stewart to burn his ship and cargo of taxed tea. George Washington resigned (Dec. 23, 1783) as commander in chief of the Continental Army before the U.S. Congress in session there (Nov. 26, 1783–June 3, 1784). The city avoided involvement in the battles of the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the American Civil War, though many Civil War wounded were hospitalized there. The Annapolis Convention, held in 1786, was a precursor to the Constitutional Convention of 1787.

    A port city, Annapolis has boatyards in Eastport and is the home port for a large number of private sailing vessels and other pleasure boats. The old waterfront area, with its city dock, once the home port for the Chesapeake oyster fleet, is now a yacht harbor. City life focuses largely on state government and the United States Naval Academy. The academy (founded 1845), which occupies the site of old Fort Severn, has a 338-acre (137-hectare) campus built on the river; the naval hero John Paul Jones is buried in its chapel crypt. The Naval Academy Museum displays relics of American naval history and has a large collection of ship models. Graduation of the midshipmen in late May is preceded by parades, concerts, and other events.

    St. John's College was chartered (1784) as a continuation of King William's School (1696). The city's colonial heritage is preserved in many remaining buildings. The Colonial Annapolis Historic District contains the Maryland State House (1772–79), the oldest state capitol still in legislative use, where Congress ratified (Jan. 14, 1784) the Treaty of Paris ending the Revolution; the Old Treasury (1735–37); St. Anne's Episcopal Church (founded 1692); and more than 60 pre-Revolutionary houses, including the homes of three signers of the Declaration of Independence—William Paca, Samuel Chase, and Charles Carroll.

City of Annapolis
Annapolis Chamber of Commerce
Historic Annapolis Foundation
State of Maryland
Annapolis Yacht Club
Annapolis Maps
Restaurants in Annapolis
Annapolis Tide Tables

Schools...
The Key School
St. Anne’s Day School
St. Mary’s Elementary School
St. Mary’s High School
The Severn School
St. John’s College
United States Naval Academy
Association of Maryland Independent Schools
Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Public Colleges and Universities
Private Colleges and Universities

Arts & Entertainment...
Annapolis Symphony Orchestra
Annapolis Opera
Colonial Players of Annapolis
Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts
Annapolis Movie Theaters
Maryland Renaissance Festival
Annapolis Boat Shows
Annapolis Chorale
Chesapeake Youth Symphony Orchestra

Area Newspapers & Magazines...
The Capital
The Washington Post
The Baltimore Sun
Chesapeake Bay Magazine
Inside Annapolis Magazine
The Washingtonian
Baltimore Magazine

Sports...
The Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Blast
The Washington Redskins
The Washington Wizards
The Washington Mystics