Rhode Island: Ocean State

Welcome to Rhode Island! It is the 13th state and also one of the 13 colonies. Rhode Island's state motto is "HOPE." It is also known as "The Ocean State." 

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How did Rhode island get its name?

Rhode Island got its name in a long process. 

 In 1524, Italian navigator Giovanni da Verrazzano was the first European to visit any part of what is now Rhode Island. He came to Block Island and named it "Luisa" after Louise of Savoy, Queen Mother of France. A mistake occurred in 1614, when Luisa was charted by the Dutch explorer Adriaen Block, after whom Luisa was renamed by the Dutch West India Company. The official explanation by the State of Rhode Island is that Adriaen Block named the area "Roodt Eylandt" meaning "red island" in reference to the red clay that lined the shore, and that the name was later changed when the region came under British rule.

 

How did Rhode Island get its nickname? 

Soon after, Rhode Island's nickname became "The Ocean State." Why? This nickname was formulated to attract tourism to Rhode Island and appears on a non-commercial license plate. "Ocean State" began appearing on Rhode Island license plates in 1972, replacing "Discover." 

the ocean state