Photo: Peter Bours house (47 Division Street), Location of AUS as early as 1781 On November 10, 1780, the African Union Society (AUS) of Newport, Rhode Island was established. It was […]
History
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On This Day – September 26, 1983: Australia II Wins America’s Cup in Newport
It was on September 26, 1983 that Australia II defeated Liberty in Newport to win the America’s Cup trophy that had been in the hands of the New York Yacht […]
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‘Wild Weather’ exhibit opens at Rhode Island’s State Archives
Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore and the Rhode Island State Archives today announced the opening of a new Archives exhibit titled Wild Weather. Wild Weather tells the story of how Rhode […]
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This Day in Newport History: September 23, 1971 – Sean Spicer is born
Sean Spicer, best known as the embattled Press Secretary for President Donald Trump was born on September 23, 1971. Born in Manhasset, New York, Spicer grew up on the East […]
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On This Day In History – September 21 – 22, 1963: Video of President John F. Kennedy and family at Hammersmith Farm
President John F. Kennedy’s family during a weekend at Hammersmith Farm, Newport, Rhode Island, and in the area. With President Kennedy are First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, John F. […]
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On This Day In History – September 21: Hurricane of ’38 hits Newport
September 21 marks the anniversary of the New England Hurricane of ’38, one of the deadliest hurricanes in New England history. The New England Hurricane of 1938 was the first […]
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On This Day In Newport History – Sept. 12, 1953: Jacqueline Bouvier and John F. Kennedy married in Newport
Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy, the future 35th President of the United States, and Jacqueline Bouvier were married at St. Mary’s Church in Newport on September 12, 1953. It is estimated […]
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Jim Garman to discuss hurricanes during Portsmouth Historical Society lecture on Sept. 21
Aquidneck Island has been subjected to a number of devastating hurricanes since colonial days. Portsmouth Town Historian Jim Garman will talk about what it was like in the aftermath of […]
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This Day in History – August 31, 1954: Hurricane Carol makes landfall in Newport
On August 31st, 1954, Hurricane Carol came ashore on the coast of Newport, RI with a massive surge and winds of 115 mph. In one hour, Carol destroyed 3,800 homes, […]
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This Day In History: August 31, 1881 – Inaugural US Men’s Single Tennis Championships Is Played in Newport, RI
The inaugural U.S. National Championship took place on August 31, 1881 at the Newport Casino in Newport, Rhode Island. In the first year of the tennis championships only clubs that […]
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This Day In Newport History – August 29, 1778: Battle of Rhode Island
On August 29, 1778, the First Rhode Island Infantry regiment defeated three assaults by British Troops at the Battle of Rhode Island, in Newport, Rhode Island. The First Rhode Island […]
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On This Day – August 28, 1987: Actor John Huston dies in Middletown
On this day in 1987, film director, screenwriter and actor, John Huston, died in Middletown, Rhode Island from pneumonia as a complication of lung disease. Huston was in Rhode Island and […]
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On This Day In Newport History – August 27, 1995: Tiger Woods Wins 1995 U.S. Amateur Championship in Newport
In celebration of the U.S. Amateur Championship centennial, the Newport Country Club hosted the 1995 U.S. Amateur Championship. At age 19, Tiger Woods became the ninth player to win back-to-back Amateur […]
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This Day in RI History: August 26, 1949 – Bob Cowsill is born
Happy Birthday Bob Cowsill! The guitar/vocalist of the Newport-based family band The Cowsills was born on August 26th, 1949. Born in Portsmouth, Virginia, Bob spent some of his youth in […]
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On This Day in Newport History: Van Johnson, Actor and Dancer, Was Born in Newport on August 25, 1916
Van Johnson, a popular Hollywood star in the ’40s and ’50s with such films as “30 Seconds over Tokyo,” “A Guy Named Joe” and “The Caine Mutiny,” was born on […]
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On This Day In Newport History: August 23, 2000 – Newport’s Richard Hatch Wins Survivor
Survivor: Borneo, the first season of CBS’s Survivor, hosted its finale on August 23, 2000. After 39 days of competition, Richard Hatch, a corporate trainer from Newport, was named the […]
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Today In Newport History: August 22, 1762 – Ann Franklin Takes Over Newport Mercury, Becomes First Female Editor in U.S.
Ann (Smith) Franklin became the sole editor and publisher of the Newport Mercury on August 22nd, 1762, making her the first female editor in the United States. The Newport Mercury dates […]
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This Day In Newport History: August 20, 1915 – Miramar Mansion Inaugurated
On this day in Newport history, Miramar Mansion was inaugurated on August 20th, 1915. Located at 646 Bellevue Avenue, it was intended as a summer home for the George D. Widener family […]
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Today In Newport History: August 17, 1790 – George Washington Arrives In Newport
On the morning of August 17th, 1790 George Washington arrived in Newport. He was accompanied by Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, Governor George Clinton of New York, U.S. Supreme Court […]
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Discovering the history of Newport: A guide to the city’s street names and landmarks
Photo: Boston Public Library, Norman B. Leventhal Map Center The streets and landmarks of Newport are filled with stories from over 300 years of history. From the founders and heroes to […]
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Extensive restoration of Rosecliff nearing completion
One of the most extensive and complicated projects in the history of the Preservation Society of Newport County is nearing completion. On September 1, Rosecliff will reopen to visitors for […]
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Today In Newport History: August 11, 1866 – First roller skating rink opens to the public in U.S.
James Plimpton, inventor of the modern quad roller skate, and the New York Roller Skating Association (NYRSA) leased The Atlantic House Hotel in Newport and converted the dining room into a skating […]
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This Day in RI History: August 7, 1742 -Nathanael Greene born in Potowomut
American Revolutionary War General Nathanael Greene was born on this day in 1742. Greene grew up in the Potowomut section of Warwick and later moved to Coventry where he operated […]
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On This Day In Newport History: July 17, 1954 – First Newport Jazz Festival Held
Photo of 1954 Newport Jazz Festival via Newport Jazz Festival The first Newport Jazz Festival, known as the First Annual American Jazz Festival, was held on July 17th and July […]
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40+ fun facts you might not know about Newport
Newport has a long history filled with firsts and unique accomplishments. From its early days as a colonial capital to its modern-day status as a cultural hub, Newport has always […]