Header image from National Park Service, Blackstone River Valley National Historic Park, Rhode Island.
Rhode Island was admitted to the Union on May 29, 1790 as the 13th state.
Bird: Rhode Island Red The Rhode Island Red was originally bred in the town of Little Compton, Rhode Island. One of the foundation sires of the breed was a black-breasted red Malay cock – it was common for New England sailors to bring exotic fowl back from ocean voyages to improve the local flocks. Early flocks often had both single and rose combed individuals. It was from the Malay that the Rhode Island Red got its deep color, strong constitution, and relatively hard feathers.
Flower: Violet Violets typically have heart-shaped leaves. Their surface is either smooth or covered with fine hairs, depending on the species. Violet flowers symbolize delicate love, affection, modesty, faith, nobility, intuition and dignity. The meaning of the violet changes depending on the color of the flower and the person the flower is sent to. Blue violet flowers symbolizes love and faithfulness, white violets represent purity and chastity, and yellow violets symbolize high worth and goodness. One quirk of some Violets is the elusive scent of their flowers; along with terpenes, a major component of the scent is a ketone compound called ionone, which temporarily desensitises the receptors of the nose, thus preventing any further scent being detected from the flower until the nerves recover
Tree: Red Maple Acer rubrum, the red maple, also known as swamp, water or soft maple, is one of the most common and widespread deciduous trees of eastern and central North America. The U.S. Forest service recognizes it as the most abundant native tree in eastern North America. The leaves of red maple, especially when dead or wilted, are extremely toxic to horses. About 50% to 75% of affected horses die or are euthanized as a result.
It is one of the first trees to change color. The sap can be used to make maple syrup, though it’s not as high quality as that of sugar maples. Its wood is used for inexpensive furniture, firewood and railroad ties.
State Quarter
From theus50.com
The Rhode Island quarter honors the “Ocean State”. Featuring a vintage sailboat gliding through Rhode Island’s famous Narragansett Bay, and an image of the Pell Bridge in the background, with the design showcasing Rhode Island’s most popular sport – sailing.
With more than 400 miles of coastline, Rhode Island, the smallest state in the Union, has more than 100 fresh water and salt water beaches. Known as the “sailing capital” of the world, Rhode Island was home to the America’s Cup for more than 50 years. Narragansett Bay is crucial to the architecture of Rhode Island. An inlet of the Atlantic Ocean, extending into eastern Rhode Island, the Bay receives four major rivers, and has several islands.
Capital: Providence
Nickname: The Ocean State/ Little Rhody
Motto: Hope
Rhode Island Facts and Trivia
Rhode Island’s official state name is Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Rhode Island is the smallest state in size in the United States. It covers an area of 1,214 square miles. Its distances North to South are 48 miles and East to West 37 miles.
Rhode Islanders were the first to take military action against England by sinking one of her ships in the Narragansett Bay located between Newport and Providence. The English ship was called “The Gaspee”.
Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island, established the first practical working model of Democracy after he was banished from Plymouth, Massachusetts because of his “extreme views” concerning freedom of speech and religion.
Thomas Jefferson and John Adams publicly acknowledged Roger Williams, as the originator of the concepts and principles reflected in The First Amendment. Among those principles were freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of public assembly.
The first British troops sent from England to squash the revolution landed in Newport.
Though second in command to George Washington, Nathaniel Greene, a Rhode Islander, is acknowledged by many historians as having been the most capable and significant General of the Revolutionary effort. Cornwallis feared Greene and his forces most. Greene ultimately defeated Cornwallis.
Rhode Island was the last of the original thirteen colonies to become a state.
Rhode Island has no county government. It is divided into 39 municipalities each having its own form of local government.
Rhode Island never ratified the 18th Amendment prohibition.
St. Mary’s, Rhode Island’s oldest Roman Catholic parish was founded in 1828. The church is best known as the site of the wedding of Jacqueline Bouvier to John Fitzgerald Kennedy in 1953.
The state was home to the first open golf tournament. The event occurred in 1895. Rhode Island is home to the Tennis Hall of Fame. Polo was played for the first time in the United States in 1876 near Newport.
Rhode Island is known for making silverware and fine jewelry.
The world’s largest bug is on the roof of New England Pest Control in Providence. It’s a big blue termite, 58 feet long and 928 times actual termite size.
At the Point Judith corrosion test site material samples sit exposed for years and are analyzed to determine the toll taken by ocean air and the sun.
The era know as The Industrial Revolution started in Rhode Island with the development and construction in 1790 of Samuel Slater’s water-powered cotton mill in Pawtucket.
Standing 11 feet tall and 278 feet above ground the Independent Man is a gold-covered, bronze statue placed atop the State House on December 18, 1899.
A reproduction of the original Liberty Bell is in the entrance hall on the south entrance to the State House. It was donated to the people of the state by the United States Treasury Department in 1950, when Harry S. Truman was president. It is about 3-1/2 feet tall and the diameter of the bell at its widest part is approximately 3-1/2 feet. It is such a realistic copy that is even has a crack similar to the original Liberty Bell.
At Little Compton is home to the gravesite of the first girl born to colonists in New England. The baby was the daughter of pilgrims John and Priscilla Alden.
Built in 1880 Channing Memorial Church was named for William Ellery Channing, a leader in the Unitarian Church and the abolitionist movement. Julia Ward Howe, author of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic”, attended this church.
The White Horse Tavern was built in 1673 and is the oldest operating tavern in the United States.
Rhode Island Red Monument in Adamsville pays homage to the world-famous poultry breed.
Rhode Island founder Roger Williams established the First Baptist Church in America in 1638. The existing structure was built in 1775
Settled in 1642 Pawtuxet Village in Warwick lays claim to being New England’s oldest village.
The Redwood Library and Athenaeum in Newport is the United States’ oldest library building.
The Crescent Park Carousel in East Providence is the official state symbol of folk art.
New England’s oldest Masonic Temple in Warren was built in the 18th century with timbers from British frigates sunk in Newport Harbor during the Revolutionary War.
Portsmouth is home to the oldest schoolhouse in the United States. The school was built in 1716.
Since 1785 Bristol has the longest running, unbroken series of 4th of July Independence Day observances in the country.
The Touro Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in North America. Built in 1763 the synagogue houses the oldest torah in North America.
Swamp Meadow Covered Bridge in Foster is the only remaining covered bridge in Rhode Island.
The first Afro-American regiment to fight for America made a gallant stand against the British in the Battle of Rhode Island.
Cumberlandite is the official state rock. It is dark brown or black with white markings and found on both sides of Narragansett Bay but not north of Cumberland.
The Quonset hut was invented at Quonset Point a key naval reserve base.
Jerimoth Hill is the state’s highest point at 812 feet above sea level.
Strange Laws:
Throwing pickle juice on a trolley is an offense in Rhode Island.
Stringing rope lower than 14 feet across a highway in the state is illegal.
Riding a horse on the highway for the purpose of testing its speed is not allowed
Professional sports, with the exception of hockey and ice polo, need a special license to play on Sundays.
There is a law requiring loud noises to be made whenever you’re passing someone on the left.
Did you know it’s illegal in Providence for a store to sell a toothbrush and toothpaste to the same customer on a Sunday?
People:
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George M. Cohan, actor, dramatist, composer of more than 300 songs including “Over There”, “Give My Regards to Broadway”, “The Yankee Doodle Boy” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag”.
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- Nelson Eddy, baritone, actor
- Bobby Hackett, trumpeter
- David Hartman, TV newscaster
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Ruth Hussey, actress
- Van Johnson, actor
- H. P. Lovecraft, author of horror fiction, science fiction
- Gilbert Stuart, painter
Credits:
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See 50 states.com