NATIONAL RHODE ISLAND DAY

Wrapping up the original 13 colonies, National Rhode Island Day on October 5 recognizes the last colony to join the Union. The Ocean State joined the union on May 4, 1776.

#NationalRhodeIslandDay

Persecuted for his beliefs in Massachusetts, Roger Williams established the Rhode Island colony in 1636 at Providence seeking religious and political freedom.

Ad Unit: div-gpt-ad-in_content_5

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.

Ad Unit: div-gpt-ad-in_content_4

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 NATIONAL RHODE ISLAND DAY

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.

For a complete list of Rhode Island State and National Parks & Historic Sites visit www.riparks.comand www.nps.gov. Check out a few of the featured sites around the state below.

Ad Unit: div-gpt-ad-in_content_3

The youngest of eight brigadier generals in the Continental Army, Nathanael Greene became General Washington's most reliable military leader during the Revolutionary War.

Noted businesswoman, Christiana Carteaux Bannister assisted runaway slaves alongside her husband while living in Massachusetts. When they returned to Providence, RI after the Civil War, Christiana continued her activism and entrepreneurship. For a woman born to slaves, her achievements were particularly noteworthy during this era.

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.

The first Major League player to be intentionally walked with the bases loaded, Napoleon Lajoie posed a threat in the batter's box and on the field. As an all-around player, Lajoie's career began with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1896. During his career, he would play for four teams, but would primarily be remembered for winning the first Triple Crown in American League History with the Philadelphia Athletics.

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.

H.P. Lovecraft's supernatural creatures wreaked terror on the pages of his of his horror stories.

The transcendentalist poet, Sarah Whitman wrote progressive poems about suffrage, women's rights and feminism. Whitman was also the unrequited love interest of Edgar Allan Poe.

Comic book writer, Don McGregor, brought a thrilling new series to the Marvel family through Black Panther. Interestingly, he started off as a proofreader who challenged the editorial staff for a better concept. The challenge was returned, leaving McGregor with the task of turning the project into a creative success.

NATIONAL RHODE ISLAND DAY