Annapolis, like many of the cities on the Eastern Shore are full of rich history. I have found I can’t walk more then a few feet without seeing the next Historical piece. Most of us have to learn World History along with State History where we grew up. I think if I had been raised on the East Coast my brain may have blown up. So much here!!!
Annapolis’s population is about 36,000, obviously a small town, it was founded in the mid 1600’s. Annapolis sits at the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay and the Severn River.
Did you know Annapolis Harbor is where African’s were brought in off ships from their homeland and auctioned off? Alex Haley Memorial is here and quite dynamic.
From the Memorial:
Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial, located at the City Dock in historic Annapolis, portrays in word and symbol the triumph of the human spirit in very difficult times and conveys Alex Haley’s vision for national racial reconciliation and healing. It stresses the importance of maintaining strong family connections and of preserving and honoring one’s family history and cultural heritage.
The Memorial is dedicated especially to all of our African ancestors whose names, unlike Kunta Kinte’s, are lost forever in the oceans of time. It also is for all people – African, Asian and European – who arrived in the New World in bondage, whose unpaid labor forged the backbone of this nation’s rise to greatness. It is dedicated also to their descendants, who strive to create a nation that celebrates ethnic diversity within the spirit of brotherhood, mutual respect, and understanding.
6 Fun Facts about Annapolis
- Four of the 56 signatures found on the Declaration of Independence came from residents of Annapolis: William Paca, Samuel Chase, Charles Carroll and Thomas Stone
- Annapolis is the oldest State Capitol in continuous legislative use. It was also the Capitol of the fledging U.S. in 1783-84 where the Continental Congress would meet. This is also where the treaty of Paris was signed that ended The American Revolutionary War.
- Two major universities are in Annapolis. St. Johns College which focuses it’s curriculum on the classics and the Naval Academy opening in 1845.
- The Annapolis Rotary Crab Feast held at the Navy -Marine Corps Memorial Stadium is the largest crab feast in the world.
- My Favorite. The Capitol of Maryland was originally called Providence by the Puritans owner of the proprietary colony later rename it after his wife, Anne Arundel’s Towne. Sir Francis Nicholson decided to rename the seaport Annapolis, in honor of the Princess Anne, heir to the throne, The Queen herself declared the Annapolis a city in 1708.
- Annapolis is the known as the sailing capitol of the U.S.
