The New Student's Reference Work/Annapolis (Maryland)

Annap′olis, a picturesque old seaport is the capital of Maryland, and the seat of the United States Naval Academy. The city is on the Severn River, two miles from Chesapeake Bay. It was first settled in 1649 as Providence; it became the state capital in 1694; and in 1708 the town was renamed in honor of Queen Anne. In colonial days Annapolis was one of the foremost of American cities, and became known as "The Athens of America." The Continental Congress sat there from November, 1783, to June, 1784; General Washington there resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, December, 1783; and in September, 1786, representatives of five of the states assembled in the Annapolis Convention for the purpose of promoting the commercial interests of America. This convention recommended the calling of another, and the recommendation resulted in the Constitutional Convention of 1787, which devised the constitution of the United States. The United States Naval Academy, founded in 1845, has been located at Annapolis since its organization. The city is also the seat of St. John's College, established in 1789, and St. Mary's Seminary. Population, 8,609.