The excitement of the 29th state is mounting. So in honor of checking off this family’s 29th state, below are some “fun facts” about Rhode Island. After all, this is a family blog – so it’s got to be educational, too!
• It was the last of the original thirteen colonies to become a state.
• Rhode Island never ratified the 19th Amendment regarding prohibition.
• Judge Darius Baker imposed the first jail sentence for speeding in an automobile on August 28, 1904 in Newport.
• 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 and John Fitzgerald Kennedy in 1953. Wedding details can be found here .
• Rhode Island has no county government. It is divided into 39 municipalities each having its own form of local government.
• Rhode Island’s official state name is Rhode Island and Providence Plantation. For those of you following today’s news, go here to learn more about why Rhode Islanders are voting this election for a name change.
• The era known 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.
• The White Horse Tavern was built in 1673 and is the oldest operating tavern in the United States. What a beautiful and historic place!
• Lastly, in honor of election season: 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.
While in Rhode Island, we'll be visiting a couple college campuses since pumpkin is exploring colleges during her junior year. Looking forward to visiting Providence and nearby Newport. Exciting stuff! Now I just have to make sure my super comfy Brooks Adrenalines can carry me to the finish line so I can enjoy this lovely area!
I feel in love with Newport when I was there LONG time ago. Cliff walk was cool and even enjoyed the tour of the Vanderbilt mansion if you have time and they are still open for touring. You gals are going to have a blast!
ReplyDeleteI see the "Plantation" part of the name was retained. This will allow Trivial Pursuit more time to come up with new questions rather than revising old questions.
ReplyDeleteDuring this mudslinging election cycle, Nitmos, at least the RI name change provided something interesting! Thanks for the recommendations, Karen. If I can walk after 31 miles, then I'll definitely squeeze some sightseeing in!
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