July 8, 1663 - Rhode Island Colony Chartered

The colony of Rhode Island was officially chartered on July 8, 1663, and its founder, Roger Williams, intentionally designed it to be vastly different from the other established colonies. For instance, in Rhode Island, colonists had to buy their land from the Native Americans living there to maintain a stable relationship between Natives and the colonists. Additionally, a provision was set in place to “secure them in the free exercise and enjoyment of all their civil and religious rights.” This set Rhode Island apart as a place of religious sanctuary, while other colonies such as Massachusetts had much firmer regulations governing their religious expression.