NATIONAL RHODE ISLAND DAY - October 5
In 2017, National Day Calendar® began celebrating each state in the order they entered the union starting the week of Independence Day and ending with Hawaii. We highlight a small part of each states’ history, foods and the people who make up the state. Many states have their own state celebrations, and National Day Calendar’s observances in no way replace them. There’s so much more to explore, we can’t help but celebrate our beautiful country even more!
NATIONAL RHODE ISLAND DAY
Wrapping up the original 13 colonies, National Rhode Island Day on October 5th recognizes the last colony to join the Union. The Ocean State joined the union on May 4, 1776.
Persecuted for his beliefs in Massachusetts, Roger Williams established the Rhode Island colony in 1636 at Providence seeking religious and political freedom.
While the colony was the first to renounce British rule, Rhode Island was the only state absent from the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. Rhode Island delayed signing the Constitution, preferring the addition of a bill of rights. It wasn’t until the Constitution was ratified by nine previous states and the threat of taxation on her exports that Rhode Island finally ratified the document and became the 13th state.
The textile industry boomed in the mid-1800s after Samuel Slater founded the first textile mill in Pawtucket in 1790. Rhode Island made producing cloth into a lucrative national and export business.
Lawn tennis has been a long-held pastime by Rhode Islanders and is clearly part of the fabric of their history. The National Lawn Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum was founded in 1954 by Jimmy Van Alen at the Newport Casino. The location in Newport, Rhode Island held the first U.S. national championship for tennis in 1881.
Despite being the smallest state, the Ocean State jams over 400 miles of coastline in its 1212 square miles. With numerous public and private beaches, Rhode Island ocean views and adventure abound.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalRhodeIslandDay
Join National Day Calendar as we recognize Rhode Island’s industry, beauty, and history. Explore her shores and find out more about her people. There is much to see! Use #NationalRhodeIslandDay to share on social media.


Blackstone River Valley
Roger Williams National Memorial
Goddard Memorial State Park – East Greenwich
Lincoln Woods State Park – Lincoln
Colt STate Park – Bristol
Pulaski State Park and Recreational Area – Chepachet
Fishermen’s Memorial State Park – Narragansett
Beavertail State Park – Jamestown
Fort Wetherill – Jamestown
MUSEUMS
Providence Children’s Museum – Providence
John Brown House – Providence
Museum of Work and Culture – Woonsocket
Naval War College Museum – Newport
Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology – Providence
Slater Mill Historic Site – Pawtucket
National Museum of American Illustration – Newport
Herreshoff Marine Museum – Bristol
Tomaquag Indian Memorial Museum – Exeter
International Tennis Hall of Fame – Newport
Coggeshall Farm Museum – Coventry
Grave of Mercy Brown – Exeter
Belcourt Castle – Newport
Little Neck Cemetary – East Providence

Annie Smith Peck gained notoriety after becoming interested in mountain climbing and hiking first Mount Shasta in California then the Matterhorn in Switzerland. Smith continued her climbing pursuits until she was 82 years old.
His longest stint would be with the Cleveland Indians from 1902 to 1914 during which time he would also manage. Lajoie was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937.
