| 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.
|
| Area
of Rhode Island |
1,214 sq. miles |
Capital
|
Providence |
| Major
Products |
Metalware, machinery,
jewelry-silverware, transport equipment, fish |
| State
Motto |
Hope |