Heavens Angels Around The World

Rhode Island:
Purchased from the Narragansett Indians by religious exiles from Massachusetts, their first permanent settlement was built in Providence in 1636.

During colonial times, large shipping fleets - sailing from Newport - traded goods for African slaves. They sold their cargo in the West Indies for molasses, sugar, wine, and more.

Eventually the tariffs and restrictive rules levied upon the colonies by England reached a boiling point, and Rhode Island was the first to declare independence.

It's the smallest U.S. State (in land size), but played a major role in the building of America, as the textile industry began here with the invention of the water-powered spinning machine. Huge factories produced the fabric, mill towns developed, and great wealth came to Rhode Island.

In addition, it was the country's manufacturing hub for files, machine tools, precious-metal industries, rubber goods, steam engines, and much more.

Closely associated with the sea, it's a favorite summer vacation area for boaters, fisherman and nautical history buffs.

The Ocean State is famed for Newport's magnificent mansions, yachting venues, jewelry and textile manufacturing, and most importantly... for its vital role in colonial history, America's industrial revolution, and the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.

Rhode Island

The Rhode Island flag, based on a Revolutionary War design, was officially adopted in 1877, then modified sightly in 1897.

It features a center anchor, long the symbol for hope, and the emblem of Rhode Island for hundreds of years. Below that anchor is a blue ribbon displaying the word hope.

The colors were flown during the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Mexican War. The thirteen gold stars are symbolic of the original thirteen colonies.

Official name: Rhode Island
Capital: Providence
Statehood: May 29, 1790 the 13th state
State nickname: The Ocean State
Name for residents: Rhode Islanders
State motto: Hope
Abbreviation: RI

Rhode Island's Historical Event's:

1524 Italian navigator Giovanni da Verrazzano explores Narragansett Bay.
1636 Puritan minister Roger Williams establishes the first permanent white settlement in Rhode Island, at present-day Rumford in East Providence.
1644 Providence, Newport, and Portsmouth unite as Providence Plantations.
1651 A charter establishing the separate colony of Aquidneck is obtained by William Coddington, but is revoked in 1652.
1663 Rhode Island and Providence Plantations are established by royal charter.
1675 In King Philip's War between colonists and Native Americans, colonial forces attack the neutral Narragansett people in the Great Swamp fight.
1774 Rhode Island imposes a partial ban on the importation of slaves.
1776 Rhode Island becomes the first colony to renounce allegiance to the British king.
1776 The name of colony is changed to the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
1790 Rhode Island becomes the last of the original 13 colonies to ratify the federal Constitution (May 29).
1842 Dorr's Rebellion occurs.
1901 The general assembly passes the Brayton Law, ensuring continued control of the state government by the Republican Party.
1922 A major statewide strike by textile workers occurs.
1935 The Brayton Law is repealed, the incumbent Supreme Court is deposed, and the state executive branch is reorganized during the "Bloodless Revolution."
1973 The United States Navy announces the closing of two major bases in Rhode Island.
1978 The Narragansett people settle a claim to ancestral lands in Rhode Island, receiving 1800 acres.
1991 The state experiences a banking crisis as many of its credit unions collapse.

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