1524

Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazano ( 1485 - 1528 ) employed by France, discovers Rhode Island

1609

Henry Hudson (1565-1611) English and navigator explores the area on behalf of the Dutch

1614

Dutch explorer Adriaen Block visited the island - he changed the name of Aquidneck changed to "the Isle of Rhodes, or Rhode Island."

1634

William Blackstone was the first Rhode Island settler

1636

Roger Williams, a religious exile from Massachusetts, was the founder of Providence as a Rhode Island settlement

1638

The Portsmouth compact was signed

1643

Samuel Gorton founded Warwick named in honor of the Earl of Warwick

1663

King Charles II granted the royal Charter of Rhode Island

1675

1675 - 1677: King Philip's War so named after Metacomet of the Wampanoag tribe, who was called Philip by the English. The war was bloody and bitterly fought by the colonists against the Wampanoags, Narragansetts, Nipmucks, Pocumtucks, and Abenakis. During King Philip's War, up to one third of America's white population was wiped out. This war proved to be the final struggle by the Native Americans of Rhode Island

1756

1756 - 1763: The Seven Years War (French and Indian War) due to disputes over land is won by Great Britain. France gives England all French territory east of the Mississippi River, except New Orleans. The Spanish give up east and west Florida to the English in return for Cuba.

1775

1775 - 1783 - The American Revolution creates the United States of America. The Revolution was due to the British burden of taxes and total power to legislate any laws governing the American colonies. George Washingtonled the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War (American War of Independence)

For additional facts and information about Colonial America refer to the Rhode Island Colony

1776

July 4, 1776 - United States Declaration of Independence

1778

July 10, 1778 - France declares war against Britain and makes an alliance with the American revolutionary forces

1783

September 3, 1783 - The Treaty of Paris is signed by the victorious United States and the defeated Great Britain

1790

Statehood - The Date that Rhode Island was admitted to the Union - May 29,
1790. Constitution - Rhode Island was the 13th State to be admitted to the Union.
State Motto - " Hope "

1803

The Louisiana Purchase - In 1803, the United States bought the Louisiana Territory from France. The U.S. Secretary of State, James Madison paid 15 million dollars for the land

1812

1812 - 1815: The War of 1812 between U.S. and Great Britain, ended in a stalemate but confirmed America's Independence

1859

John Brown raided Harpers Ferry and set in motion events that led directly to the outbreak of the Civil War.

1861

1861 - 1865: The American Civil War. outbreak of the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln, a known opponent of slavery, was elected president and in 1861 the South Secedes. The initial Secession of South Carolina was followed by the secession of Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina. These eleven states eventually formed the Confederate States of America. The bombardment of Fort Sumter was the opening engagement of the American Civil War.

1865

The surrender of Robert E. Lee on April 9 1865 signalled the end of the Confederacy

1865

1865 December 6 - The Abolishment of Slavery. The Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified, thus officially abolishing slavery

1865

The surrender of Robert E. Lee on April 9 1865 signalled the end of the Confederacy

1898

1898-1901 The Spanish American War. On December 10, 1898 the Treaty of Paris the US annexes Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines.

Rhode Island Timeline

Origin of the name - Named "Roodt Eylandt" by Adrian Block, the Dutch explorer. The meaning of the name is "red island" referring to the red clay that lined the shore. The name was later changed when the region came under British rule.

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