| A short history of the Rhode Island State flag | Rhode Island is the smallest of the states in the Union. The state was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, after he had been exiled for religious dissent from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. In 1664 the first state seal appeared, which was comprised of an anchor, and the word "Hope". This word is always represented in heraldry by the anchor. These symbols appeared on the flag of the 2nd Rhode Island regiment, with 13 stars of the original states in the canton during the Revolutionary War. During the Civil War in accordance with common practice, the anchor and motto were used on a blue field. Since March 1877 a state flag had been in official use and consisted of a white field containing a blue anchor, with a red outline and surrounded by a circle of 38 stars. On February 1, 1882 a second design had a yellow anchor in a red outline, and a circle of 13 yellow stars, all of which had a blue field. A rope is wrapped around the anchor, but this was taken away in 1892 in a revised version. Five years later the current flag was officially adopted. |
A short history of Rhode Island (The
Little Rhody State) | In 1636, settlers came from Massachusetts in search of religious freedom. Rhode Island obtained a charter in 1663 as a Colony, and Providence Plantations. On May 4, 1776 the state-renounced allegiance to Britain and reluctantly joined the Union on May 29, 1790.
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| Area of Rhode Island | 1,214 sq. miles |
Capital
| Providence |
| Major Products | Metalware, machinery, jewelry-silverware, transport equipment, fish |
| State Motto | Hope |
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