National Rhode Island Day

Rhode Island was a haven for religious and political freedom, shaping the country’s democratic foundations.

It was the first colony to declare independence from Britain in 1776 but the last to ratify the U.S. Constitution in 1790.

The state’s early government operated under an unusual charter system that allowed more local autonomy than in other colonies. 

Yes, Rhode Island was one of the strongest opponents of Prohibition. It never ratified the 18th Amendment, arguing that banning alcohol was unconstitutional.

Despite federal laws, speakeasies flourished in Providence, and rum-running became a major industry along the coast. 

Perched on top of a pest control building in Providence, Nibbles Woodaway—better known as the “Big Blue Bug”—is a 58-foot-long, 9-foot-tall termite sculpture.

Built in 1980, it became an unexpected state mascot. Locals dress it up for holidays, and it has even appeared in movies, including Dumb and Dumber.

It’s so famous that many Rhode Islanders use it as a landmark for giving directions.

One theory suggests that “Rhode Island” was named after the Greek island of Rhodes, but another popular story says that explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano compared Block Island’s red clay cliffs to the Greek island’s rugged landscape.

A lesser-known idea is that Dutch traders called it “Roodt Eylandt” (meaning “Red Island”), referring to the red foliage in autumn. 

Rhode Island is known for “stuffies” (stuffed quahogs), clam cakes, and coffee milk, but the most unusual dish might be “pizza strips.” Unlike traditional pizza, these are rectangular slices of cold, sauce-covered bread with no cheese. 

In 1790, English immigrant Samuel Slater built the first successful water-powered cotton-spinning mill in Pawtucket, sparking the American Industrial Revolution.

Slater had memorized the blueprints of English textile machinery, bringing secret technology to the U.S. His factory system revolutionized manufacturing, leading to the rise of mill towns across New England. 

Yes! The White Horse Tavern in Newport, built in 1673, is the oldest continuously operating tavern in the United States.

Originally a private home, it became a gathering place for colonists and later a meeting spot for British soldiers during the Revolutionary War.

Despite fires and renovations, much of the original structure remains intact. 

The Flying Horse Carousel in Watch Hill is the oldest continuously operating carousel in the U.S. Built in 1876, it’s one of the few remaining “flying” carousels, where horses are suspended from chains rather than mounted on poles.

Riders experience a floating sensation as the carousel spins. 

Unlike other states, Rhode Island eliminated county governments, leaving local administration to its 39 individual municipalities.

This system dates back to the colonial period when self-governance was a priority. While counties still exist for judicial purposes, they have no official role in government. 

In 1881, the first U.S. National Lawn Tennis Championship—what would later become the U.S. Open—was held at the Newport Casino in Rhode Island.

The historic venue, now the International Tennis Hall of Fame, still hosts matches and honors tennis legends.

The site’s iconic grass courts and Gilded Age architecture make it a must-visit for sports fans. Rhode Island remains an unexpected hub for tennis history.