Pre-Colonial History
Discovery
Before 1607, when the first colony was founded, Rhode Island had a few tribes. The Narragansett was the largest and most powerful tribe, the Wampanoag owned many islands, the Nitanic who was originally in Connecticut, The Nipmac that occupied northern Rhode Island, and Pequot who extended into Rhode Island, the tribes mostly depended on agriculture and fishing.
Colonial History
During 1636, Roger Williams banished from Massachusetts settled in Narragansett Bay and founded the first white settlement in Rhode Island and established religious and political freedom as a policy. Also, on May 4, 1776, Rhode Island was the first to reject and declare independence by a legislative act to King George III while he was reigned over Great Britain.
Historical Figures
Founder of Rhode Island
The Discoverer of Rhode Island
History
Rhode Island was actually visited by many different people around history such as Norsemen, medieval Irish adventurers, Portuguese navigator Miguel Corte-Real but in 1524, while an Italian navigator, Giovanni Verrazano was sailing, he saw a piece of Rhode Island, Block Island, and partially named it.