George Washington resigned as commander-in-chief in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1783.
Washington handed his commission to Congress at the Maryland State House on December 23, 1783. The Congress of the Confederation was meeting in Annapolis after the Revolutionary War had effectively ended and British troops had left New York City.
His voluntary resignation was a major demonstration of civilian authority over the military. Washington returned to private life at Mount Vernon instead of seeking political power through control of the army.
The event is sometimes confused with Washington’s farewell to his officers at Fraunces Tavern in New York City or his farewell orders to the Continental Army near Princeton, New Jersey. Those were separate events earlier in November and December 1783.