RHODE ISLAND
Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (RI) is the official name for our 13th state. Roger Williams founded Rhode Island in 1636 after being kicked out of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He was publicly acknowledged by Thomas Jefferson and John Adams as the one from whom the ideas of freedom speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of public assembly originated. RI was the first state to reject the rule of England, but it was the last colony to become a state—May 29, 1790
It is the smallest state at 1,045 miles and has a population of 1.05 million as of 2013. The capital and largest city is Providence.
People who live in this state are called Rhode Islanders. A few famous Rhode Islanders are George M. Cohan, actor and songwriter; Matthew C. Perry, military leader; and Oliver Hazard Perry, military leader.
Rhode Island's nicknames are The Ocean State and Little Rhody. The state motto is "Hope."
The flag was adopted in 1897. There are 13 stars which represent the 13 original colonies. The anchor is on Rhode Island's state seal and includes the motto.
The state's symbols are:
Bird...Rhode Island Red
Flower...Violets
Tree...Red maple
Despite its small size, there are some very interesting things to see in Rhode Island. The Newport Preservation Society maintains several "summer cottages" of the rich and famous that were built in the late 19th century and early 20th century. These include The Breakers, Marble House, Rosecliff, and The Elms. The Newport Cliff Walk follows the cliffs for 3.5 miles. This is another way to see the mansions. Fort Adams is located in Newport. Educational tours include the tunnels located underneath the structure. Various lighthouses can be toured. There are beaches and country clubs. The International Tennis Hall of Fame is also in Newport.
Test your knowledge of Rhode Island with these fun learning games.
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A Primary Source History of the Colony of Rhode Island - Unabridged Audiobook on CD By Joan Axelrod-Contrada / Brilliance Audio Rhode Island could be called the colony of "independent thinkers." Founded by Roger Williams in 1636 after his banishment from Massachusetts due to his religious beliefs, Rhode Island consisted of a large island called Rhode Island and a mainland called Providence Plantations. Using primary source documents to enhance a lively and accessible text, it is a vivid account of the story behind the foundation of this colony and the independent spirit of those who settled there. Unabridged audio CD; approximately 1 hour 10 minutes; 1 CD; read by Eileen Stevens. |
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Rhode Island Colony, The By Coughlan Publishing |
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It Happened in Rhode Island By Seth Brown / Globe Pequot |
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Voices from Colonial America: Rhode Island 1636-1776 By Jesse McDermott / National Geographic Children's Books |
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Native American Place Names of Rhode Island By R.A. Douglas-Lithgow / Applewood Books |
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Providence & Rhode Island Chef's Table: Extraordinary Recipes from the Ocean State By Linda Beaulieu & Al Weems / Lyons Press |
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Food Lovers' Guide to Rhode Island: The Best Restaurants, Markets & Local Culinary Offerings By Patricia Harris & David Lyon / Globe Pequot |
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The Providence & Rhode Island Cookbook, 2nd: Big Recipes from the Smallest State By Linda Beaulieu / Globe Pequot |
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The Providence & Rhode Island Cookbook, 2nd: Big Recipes from the Smallest State By Linda Beaulieu / Globe Pequot |
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The Providence & Rhode Island Cookbook, 2nd: Big Recipes from the Smallest State By Linda Beaulieu / Globe Pequot |
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The Challenges of Roger Williams: Religious Liberty, Violent Persecution, and the Bible By James P. Byrd, Jr. / Mercer Press This book examines how biblical interpretation promoted both violent persecution and religious liberty in colonial America. Frequently, the Bible was a violent force in Puritan New England, where ministers and magistrates used biblical passages to justify the punishment of many religious radicals. Encouraged by the Bible, Puritans whipped and imprisoned Baptists, banished a variety of radicals from the Puritan colonies, and even sent Quakers to the gallows. Among those banished was Roger Williams, the advocate of religious liberty who also founded the colony of Rhode Island and established the first Baptist church in America. Williams opposed the Puritans' use of the Bible to persecute radicals who rejected the state's established religion. In retaliation against the use of Scripture for violent purposes, Williams argued that religious liberty was a biblical concept that offered the only means of eliminating the religious wars and persecutions that plagued the seventeenth century. Empowered by his interpretation of Scripture, Williams posed a serious challenge to a colonial society in which the Bible was the paramount guide in every aspect of life, both public and private. As Byrd reveals, Williams's biblical case for religious liberty was multifaceted. He drew from a wide range of scriptural texts and wrestled with a variety of interpreters. By focusing on Williams's biblical opposition to religious persecution, this book demonstrates the importance of the Bible to violence, religious liberty, and the relationship between church and state in early American history. Included is a reference guide to Williams's biblical interpretation which features the only biblical indices to his published works, accompanied by rankings of his biblical citations in various categories, including his most cited biblical passages throughout his career. |
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You're A Grand Old Flag [Download] By George M Cohan & Hal Wright / Twin Sisters Productions |
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Yankee Doodle / Yankee Doodle Dandy [Download] By George M Cohan & Hal Wright / Twin Sisters Productions |
