If all the state capital cities in the USA were listed in alphabetical order, what would be first two?

When listing the capital cities of the United States in alphabetical order, Albany and Annapolis would appear as the first two. This is simply due to the alphabetical arrangement of their names. Both cities begin with the letter "A," and among all the "A" capitals, "Albany" precedes "Annapolis" alphabetically.

Albany, the capital of New York, boasts a rich history dating back over 400 years. It was initially settled by the Dutch in 1614 as a fur trading post, Fort Nassau, later Fort Orange, before being renamed by the English in 1664 in honor of the Duke of Albany. The city officially became New York's permanent capital in 1797. Its strategic location on the Hudson River made it a vital hub for trade and transportation, including a significant role in the Erie Canal. Notably, Albany is also recognized as the longest continuously chartered city in the United States, with its Dongan Charter from 1686 still in effect.

Just south, Annapolis serves as the capital of Maryland, a designation it has held since 1694 when it was renamed from Anne Arundel Town in honor of Princess Anne. This historic city played a pivotal role in early American history, even briefly serving as the capital of the United States from late 1783 to mid-1784. It was within the Maryland State House, the oldest state capitol in continuous legislative use, that George Washington famously resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in 1783 and the Treaty of Paris was ratified in 1784, officially ending the Revolutionary War. Today, Annapolis is also renowned as the home of the U.S. Naval Academy and for its beautifully preserved colonial architecture and unique baroque street plan.