Rhode Island Independence Day in United States

Rhode Island Independence Day is a state holiday in Rhode Island. ©iStockphoto.com/Björn Kindler

What do people do?

A wide range of local events are arranged to mark Rhode Island Independence Day. Many of these have a military flavor and include: a formal review of the forces by the state Governor; displays of current and historic military equipment, routines and drills; and a battery salute in honor of Rhode Island’s independence. Family picnics and essay contests for high school students are also organized. These events may take part on a Saturday close to May 4 to enable families to attend.

Public life

May 4 is a state holiday in Rhode Island, USA. State and municipal offices may be closed. However, stores and private business are usually open and public transit services run to their usual schedules. In other areas of the United States, May 4 is not a public holiday and there are no changes to public life.

Background

Providence Plantation was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, who was a Baptist preacher and had fled from religious persecution in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. In 1644, the colony was recognized as an English colony and granted a charter by the English Parliament. The area later became known as the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

Rhode Island was one of the 13 colonies in North America that rebelled against the British rule in 1775 and the first to officially declare independence from the British Crown. The other twelve states were: New Hampshire; Massachusetts; Connecticut; New York; Pennsylvania; New Jersey; Delaware; Maryland; Virginia; North Carolina; South Carolina; and Georgia. On May 4, 1776, the general assembly in Rhode Island passed an act, which declared Rhode Island and Providence Plantations an independent state. The anniversary of this date has become known as Rhode Island Independence Day. If May 4 falls on a Saturday, Rhode Island Independence Day is observed on Friday, May 3. If May 4 falls on a Sunday, it is observed on Monday, May 5.

Symbols

Rhode Island is on the eastern coast of the United States and is officially known as the "State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations". The flag of Rhode Island is a white rectangle in the proportions 29:33 . A gold anchor representing hope and the maritime history of the state is at the center of the flag. A blue ribbon with the word "HOPE" in gold letters is depicted below the anchor. The anchor and ribbon are surrounded by 13 gold stars representing the 13 colonies in North America that rebelled against British rule in 1775. Other symbols of Rhode Island include: the Rhode Island Red breed of chicken (state bird); the Red maple with its distinctive red fall leaves (state tree); the violet (state flower); and a mixture of milk and coffee-flavored syrup known as 'coffee milk' (state drink).

Rhode Island Independence Day Observances

Other holidays in May 2008 in United States

• Law Day (Thursday, May 1, 2008)
• Ascension Day (Thursday, May 1, 2008)
• National Day of Prayer (Thursday, May 1, 2008)
• Loyalty Day (Thursday, May 1, 2008)
• Yom HaShoah (Friday, May 2, 2008)
• World Press Freedom Day (Saturday, May 3, 2008)
• Cinco de Mayo (Monday, May 5, 2008)
• Truman Day (Thursday, May 8, 2008)
• Yom HaAtzmaut (Thursday, May 8, 2008)
• Confederate Memorial Day (Friday, May 9, 2008)
• Confederate Memorial Day (Saturday, May 10, 2008)
• Confederate Memorial Day (Saturday, May 10, 2008)
• Pentecost (Sunday, May 11, 2008)
• Mother's Day (Sunday, May 11, 2008)
• Whit Monday (Monday, May 12, 2008)
• Peace Officers Memorial Day (Thursday, May 15, 2008)
• International Day of Families (Thursday, May 15, 2008)
• National Defense Transportation Day (Friday, May 16, 2008)
• World Information Society Day (Saturday, May 17, 2008)
• Trinity Sunday (Sunday, May 18, 2008)
• World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (Wednesday, May 21, 2008)
• National Maritime Day (Thursday, May 22, 2008)
• International Day for Biological Diversity (Thursday, May 22, 2008)
• Corpus Christi (Thursday, May 22, 2008)
• Lag B'Omer (Friday, May 23, 2008)
• African Liberation Day (Sunday, May 25, 2008)
• Memorial Day (Monday, May 26, 2008)

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