Ratification of the Constitution - Rhode Island Bicentennial
Issued May 29, 2025 in Pawtucket, RI - Scott #2348

The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations is the smallest state in the, union, however it does have the longest official state name.

Rhode Island is 1212 square miles in area; measures 47 miles from North to South and 37 miles from East to West.

The first Permanent Settlement: (Providence Plantations) was established in 1636 by Roger Williams.

The RI State Flag was officially adopted in 1797.
     
The State Bird is the Rhode Island Red 
     
The State Flower is the Violet.
     
The State Rock is Cumberlandite, (Not found outside the state).
     
The State Mineral is Bowenite, (A close relation to Jade found in the northern part of the state).
     
The State Shell is the Quahog, (Hard Shell Clam).

The highest Point above Sea Level is Jerimoth Hill (812 feet).

As of the 2001 census, the state's population is 1,058,920.

The State Per-Capita Income in 2000 was $29,113.00.

Rhode Island contains 14 Universities and Colleges within it's borders.

The official state poverty level is 11.9 percent as of 1999 and the 2001 unemployment rate was 4.7 percent.

Rhode Island Superlatives:

The First African American Army Regiment - 1st Rhode Island  (1778)

In 1950 Ann & Hope Textile Mill converted to the first factory outlet store in the nation.

The first water-powered cotton mill - Slater Mill, Pawtucket 

The first law against slavery  (1652)

The first open golf tournament - Newport  (1895)

The oldest library building in the U.S. is the Redwood Library and Athenaeum in Newport, Rhode Island.

The oldest schoolhouse in the United States is located in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. (1716)

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