Fun Facts

  1. Rhode Island is the smallest state in size in the United States. It covers an area of 1,214 square miles.
  2. Rhode Island shares a state water border with New York.
  3. Rhode Island never ratified the 18th Amendment prohibition.
  4. Judge Darius Baker imposed the first jail sentence for speeding in an automobile on August 28, 1904 in Newport.
  5. Polo was played for the first time in the United States in 1876 near Newport.
  6. Rhode Island was home to the first National Lawn Tennis Championship (the precursor to the U.S. Open) in 1881. It was held at the Newport Casino.
  7. St. Mary's, Rhode Island's oldest Roman Catholic parish was founded in 1828. The church is best known as the site of the wedding of Jacqueline Bouvier to John Fitzgerald Kennedy in 1953.
  8. The state was home to the first open golf tournament. The event occurred in 1895.
  9. The Flying Horse Carousel is the nation’s oldest carousel. It is located in the resort town of Watch Hill.
  10. The first circus in the United States was in Newport in 1774.
  11. Rhode Island is home to the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
  12. Rhode Island's official state name is The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
  13. George M. Cohan was born in Providence in 1878. He wrote, "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy," "You're a Grand Old Flag," and a wide variety of other musical entertainment.
  14. Rhode Island is known for making silverware and fine jewelry.
  15. The world's largest bug is on the roof of New England Pest Control in Providence. It's a big blue termite, 58 feet long and 928 times actual termite size.
  16. Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island, established the first practical working model of Democracy after he was banished from Plymouth, Massachusetts because of his "extreme views" concerning freedom of speech and religion.
  17. Standing 11 feet tall and 278 feet above ground the Independent Man is a gold-covered, bronze statue placed atop the State House on December 18, 1899.
  18. The White Horse Tavern was built in 1673 and is the oldest operating tavern in the United States.
  19. The Touro Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in North America. Built in 1763 the synagogue houses the oldest torah in North America.
  20. Jerimoth Hill is the state's highest point at 812 feet above sea level.
Thanks to: David C. Weiler, Luc Beaufort, Jaisley30, Mjc02865