Rhode Island, founded by Roger Williams in 1636, was established as a haven for religious freedom and tolerance.

Roger Williams founded Rhode Island in 1636, making it the first American colony to be formed on the idea of religious freedom. Williams, a minister, was ejected from the Massachusetts Bay Colony for supporting Native American land rights and arguing for the separation of religion and state. He established Providence as a community where people of different religions may live their lives without fear of retaliation. Rhode Island established a legacy of tolerance by welcoming Jews, Quakers, and other oppressed groups from other places. This ground-breaking concept shaped the First Amendment of the US Constitution, guaranteeing religious freedom to all citizens and solidifying Rhode Island's reputation as a freedom pioneer.