1524: Giovanni de Verrazano explores Narragansett Bay and coastal areas
1614: Dutch explorer Adriaen Block discovers his namesake island 1636: Roger Williams founds Providence, on a grant of land from local
Indians 1639: The nation's first Baptist church is founded 1652: Colony is plagued by local Indian wars 1663: Colony is granted a royal charter from the King of England 1676: King Philip, Wampanoag Indian chief, is executed 1772: Locals burn the British sloop, Gaspee - all in protest of
unfair British tax laws 1776: The Rhode Island colony declares its independence 1778: Revolutionary War's Battle of Rhode Island is the heaviest
fighting within the state 1790: Rhode Island becomes the 13th state 1790: Samuel Slater invents the water-powered spinning machine, and
America's textile industry is born in Rhode Island 1824: Woman weavers of Pawtucket strike, believed to be the first
strike by women in the United States 1842: Dorr's Rebellion leads to reform in the state's constitution 1876: President Rutherford B. Hayes tests the newly invented
telephone. A short 8 mile call from Rocky Point to Providence 1877: Rhode Island flag established 1895: The Cornelius Vanderbilt mansion zzzthe Breakers:, is completed
1930: America's Cup yacht race is held off of Newport 1936: State celebrates its 300th anniversary 1938: Hurricane strikes the state and damage is severe 1969: Newport Bridge zzzlinking Jamestown and Newport: opens 1976: Tall ships arrive in Newport, as the state participates in the
nation's 200-hundred-year celebration