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Newport Rhode Island History The first English settlers arrived on Aquidneck
Island in 1636. Upon arrival and due to religious persecution
elsewhere the settlers founded their new town on the basis of
religious tolerance and diversity and Newport became one of the
first secular democracies in the Americas. The founder's commitment
to religious freedom had a profound impact on all aspects of the
town's subsequent history.
Among the religious groups attracted to this haven in a world of
threatening intolerance were Quakers and Jews. During the 1760's,
they transformed the town from a small agricultural outpost to one
of colonial America's five leading seaports along with Boston, New
York, Philadelphia, and Charleston. The economic growth spurred a
building boom that included some of the important landmarks that
still survive today.
Newport helped lead the way toward the Revolution and independence.
The British occupied Newport from 1776 to 1779, forcing over half of
the town's population to flee. The British remained in Newport
despite efforts to drive them out by patriot forces and eventually
the British did withdraw. The French, under the leadership of
Admiral deTiernay and General Rochambeau, began a sojourn in Newport
that lasted until 1783 until they left Newport on their historic
march to Yorktown to assist in the decisive victory there.
Newport's history has always been tied to the sea. During the
colonial period the city's harbor teemed with trading ships and
Newport was on its way to becoming a yachting capital. The New York
Yacht Club brought the famed America's cup to Newport in the 1930s
where it stayed until lost to the Australians in 1983. The fishing
industry is still a vital part of Newport's economy, as is the
United States Navy, which has been in Newport since the 1860s.
In the late 19th and 20th centuries various groups such as the
Irish, Greeks, Italians, Portuguese, Filipinos, Cambodians, and
Hispanics joined groups such as Jews, African Americans, and Native
Americans who had been in Newport for some time, enriching the
ethnic diversity of the town. African Americans from Virginia and
other areas moved to Newport and joined a thriving community that
continues to be a vital part of Newport's history.
Newport's history is remarkable in many ways, but perhaps the most
unique aspect is the fact that so much of its history is still
visible everywhere you look. Be our guest and explore Newport Rhode
Islands past and present.
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