Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island, established the first practical working model of Democracy after he was banished from Plymouth, Massachusetts because of his "extreme views" concerning freedom of speech and religion.
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Rhode Island is the smallest state in size in the United States. It covers an area of 1,214 square miles. Its distances North to South are 48 miles and East to West 37 miles.
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New England's oldest Masonic Temple in Warren, Rhode Island was built in the 18th century with timbers from British frigates sunk in Newport Harbor during the Revolutionary War.