The focus here is on Rhode Island state facts. This state may be small, but it has a lot going on and plenty of facts that you may not know already. Let's dive in and see what this place has to offer!
1. Rhode Island is the smallest state in the U.S. It only covers 1,214 square miles. The distance north to south is 48 miles and it's only 37 miles from east to west.
2. Rhode was the last of the thirteen original colonies to achieve statehood.
3. The state shares a water border with New York.
4. The state never ratified the 18th amendment which was concerning prohibition.
5. The first jail sentence for speeding in a car was given by Judge Darius Baker on August 28, 1904 in Newport.
6. In 1876, the sport of Polo was played for the first time in the U.S. near Newport.
7. The oldest Roman Catholic church in RI was founded in 1828. Known as St. Mary's, it is most famous for being the site of the wedding between John Fitzgerald Kennedy, and Jacqueline Bouvier in 1953.
8. The first open golf tournament was held in Rhode Island in 1895.
9. There is no county government, instead is it divided into 39 municipalities that each have its own local government.
10. In the resort of Watch Hill is the Flying Horse Carousel which is the oldest of its kind in the nation.
11. Rhode Island houses the Tennis Hall of Fame.
12. The official state name is "Rhode Island and Providence Plantations."
13. The state is known for making fine jewelry and silverware.
14. Rhode Island citizens were first to attack England by sinking one of their ships known as "The Gaspee."
15. The Industrial Revolution era began in Rhode Island when Samuel Slater developed and constructed the water-powered cotton mill in 1790.
16. The first British troops to arrive during the American Revolution landed in Newport.
17. Warwick is known as the retail capital of Rhode Island.
18. The founder of Rhode Island, Roger Williams, established the first Baptist Church in America in 1638. The current structure was built in 1775.
19. The oldest library in the United States is the Redwood Library and Athenaeum in Newport.
20. Portsmouth houses the oldest schoolhouse in the U.S. It was built in 1716.
21. The first African American regiment to fight for American made their stand against the British soldiers in the Battle of Rhode Island.
22. Stiletto, the first torpedo boat, was built in Bristol in 1887.
23. The Touro Synagogue was built in 1763 and is not only the oldest of its kind in America, but it also houses the oldest torah in the U.S.
While it may be the smallest state in America, Rhode Island clearly has a lot of interesting facts associated with it. We hope you enjoyed these Rhode Island state facts.