Last updated on October 29th, 2023
55. Fans of HP Lovecraft will be happy to know that Rhodes Island has a museum for him. The cosmic horror writer’s house is in Providence.
56. The beautiful, moving art, Waterfire, is one of the fun things to see in Providence. Don’t miss out on this exciting and glamorous display.
57. Newport, Rhode Island, is sometimes a stop-over point in the American Sailing Cup. Beautiful 12-meter Yachts partake in this prestigious competition.
58. Watch Hill Flying Horse, the oldest running carousel in the US, can be found in Westerly on the beach. You can see it at the end of Bay Street.
59. America’s first Jazz festival was held in Newport in 1954.
60. The first National Lawn Tennis Championship (the precursor to the U.S. Open) was held in Rhode Island in 1899. The state is also home to the Tennis Hall of Fame.
61. You will find the haunted house from the movie The Conjuring in Burrillville in Rhode Island. The house belonged to the Perrin family, with a lousy history of murder.
62. Cartoonist Seth MacFarlane created an imaginary town in Rhode Island called Quahog. The town really exists and can be found in the vicinity of Tiverton.
63. The first NFL game at night was hosted in Rhode Island.
64. Sometimes, sharks can be spotted in Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island. Previous shark sightings prove that humans and these water predators share the same water.
65. The red rooster was chosen as the state bird of Rhode Island. The easygoing nature of the bird is what locals associate with it.
66. Rhode Island’s state motto is “Hope,” and that is shorter than the state motto of any other state.
67. Coffee milk is the official state drink of Rhode Island.
68. You won’t find any alcoholic beverages in supermarkets or at gas stations in Rhode Island. It is only allowed to be sold in liquor stores.
69. The Green Animals Topiary Garden, located in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, is the oldest and most northern topiary garden in the United States. The garden has eighty sculpted trees that look like animals.
70. According to some research, there are more doughnut shops per capita in the Providence metro area than anywhere else.
71. A Cake made in the shape of a doughnut is another of Rhode Island’s favorite cuisines. The giant doughnut is known as a doughnut cake.
72. Stuffie is one of the very popular dishes from Rhode Island you should try. It is a stuffed Quahog, and it often contains Portuguese sausage.
73. Clam cakes are one of the many favorites of people living in Rhode Island. It is a savory ball of minced clam meat deep-fried to a golden brown.
74. Don’t miss out on mouth-watering Lobster rolls found all over Rhode Island. The knuckle, tail, or claw meat is served in a toasted or steamed bun.
75. It is claimed that the delicious and modern Johnny Cake originated in Rhodes Island. It is made from cornmeal and served with various stuffing.
76. The ice cream-based milkshake found primarily in Rhode Island is a coffee cabinet. The ingredients like milk, Coffee ice cream, and coffee syrup are mixed in a drink blender.
77. Rhode Island-style pizza strips are enjoyed in this state and many other places. Tomato sauce and a sprinkle of grated Romano cheese is the basic topping.
78. Hot Weiner is a dish that originated in Rhode Island but is famous around the country. It is usually made with veal or pork sausage in a steamed bun.
About the Flag of Rhode Island
1. Design and Symbolism
The flag of Rhode Island features a golden anchor. This symbol dates back to the Ancient Greeks, often used to depict hope and calm during uncertain times – as sailors rely on anchors to steady their ships in turbulent waters. Optimism is brimming with the motto “HOPE” written on a blue ribbon.
Rhode Island is known as The Ocean State because of its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. Maritime commerce is a vital part of its economy and history, hence the choice of state symbol.
Thirteen golden stars surround the anchor in a circular pattern – a reference to the original 13 Colonies. Rhode Island is also the 13th state to ratify the US Constitution.
2. Adoption
The official adoption of the current flag took place on November 1, 1897. There have not been any major revisions since then.
3. Technical Details
Make this flag with a proportion of 29:33. According to Rhode Island law, the official state flag must be 5 feet and 6 inches by 4 feet and 10 inches. Both sides should show the state symbols. The gold anchor must be 22 inches high, while the blue ribbon must be 22 inches long and 5 inches wide. The edges of the flag should have a yellow fringe.
4. History
In 1647, Rhode Island chose an anchor for its colonial seal. Seventeen years later, they added the motto “HOPE.” Between 1775 and 1783, troops used the seal for the Revolutionary War. Ships also utilized a streamlined version in the 1800s.
In 1877, the state adopted the first civil state flag. It had a white field, a blue anchor with chains, a stylized red border with the word “Hope,” and 38 stars forming a circle.
In 1882, they drastically simplified the flag, leaving only 13 stars and an anchor. These golden symbols rested on a blue background.
In 1897, they reverted to a white background and reduced the anchor size to make space underneath. Here they added a blue ribbon with the motto “Hope.”
5. Facts
The governor can order the flag to half-staff at state facilities and buildings. In 2021, the flag flew low to honor former State Representative William Alves.
On September 2022, Governor Dan McKee ordered government facilities to lower the US and state flags in honor of Queen Elizabeth II of the UK after her passing, following the proclamation of President Biden.
6. Other Flags
The Flag of the Governor has four blue stars on the corners of a white background. It also has an anchor at the center, but this one has a heraldic design with a blue shield and the words “State of Rhode Island” at the top.
You may also see the Rhode Island Regimental Flag prominently displayed outside homes and in college football stadiums.
It has a white field with a dark blue rectangle at the upper left corner, filled with 13 gold stars in an alternating pattern. On the right is the anchor and “Hope” motto.
Rhode Island – Quick facts and state symbols
| State Abbreviation | RI |
|---|---|
| State Capital | Providence |
| Largest City | Providence |
| State Size | Total (Land + Water): 1,545 sq miles; Land Only: 1,045 sq miles |
| Population | 1,095,962 (Estimate July 1, 2023 from United States Census Bureau) |
| Statehood | May 29, 1790 |
| State rank by population | 44th |
| State rank by date of formation | 13th |
| State rank by area | 50th |
| Number of Counties | 5 |
| Demonym | Rhode Islander |
| Bordering States | Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York (water border) |
| Official Language | None |
| Highest Point | Jerimoth Hill 812 ft (247 m) |
| Lowest point | Atlantic Ocean Sea level |
| Length | 48 miles (77 km) |
| Width | 37 miles (60 km) |
| Governor | Dan McKee (D) |
| Lieutenant Governor | Sabina Matos (D) |
| Electoral Votes | 4 |
| State Motto | Hope |
| State Nickname | The Ocean State |
| % Water | 13.9% |
| Famous people | Gabby Hartnett (Baseball player) Mena Suvari (Actress) |
| State Marine Mammal | Harbor Seal |
| State Flag |
|
| State coat of arms |
|
| State Bird | Rhode Island Red
|
| State Flag Ship | Tall Ship Providence |
| State Fruit | Rhode Island Greening |
| State Fish | Striped Bass
|
| State Flower | Violet |
| State Insect | Burying Beetle |
| State Mineral | Bowenite |
| State Shell | Quahaug
|
| State Tree | Red Maple
|
| Longitude | 71° 07' W to 71° 53' W |
| Latitude | 41° 09' N to 42° 01' N |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time Zone |
| Website | www.ri.gov |
| Area Codes | 401 |
| Table last updated | June 27, 2024 |
