PHOTOS: Hurricane Carol Makes Landfall in Newport, RI on August 31, 1954
On August 31st 1954, Hurricane Carol came ashore the coast of Newport, RI with a massive surge and winds of 115 mph.
In one hour, Carol destroyed 3,800 homes, sank or damaged 2,000 boats and...
This Day In History: August 31, 1881 – Inaugural US Men’s Single Tennis Championships...
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 were members of the United...
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 Infantry regiment was the...
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...
On This Day In Newport History – August 27, 1995: Tiger Woods Wins 1995...
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 championships when he defeated Buddy...
PHOTOS: President John F. Kennedy Sailing In Newport on August 26, 1962
President John F. Kennedy vacationed at Hammersmith Farm in Newport on August 26th & 27th, 1962.
Speaking about President Kennedy's lifelong fascination with the sea, Jacqueline Kennedy once said; "It was really the boat that relaxed him the most....
On This Day in Newport History: Van Johnson, Actor and Dancer, Was Born in...
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 August 25, 1916 in...
Today In Newport History: August 22, 1762 – Ann Franklin Takes Over Newport Mercury,...
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 back to 1758 and until...
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 of Philadelphia. George and his son,...
Today In Newport History: August 19, 1991 – Hurricane Bob Makes Landfall Over Newport
Hurricane Bob developed in the central Bahamas on August 16, then steadily intensified and reached hurricane status on the evening of August 17. Bob continued to strengthen during the next 48 hours, as it...
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 Justice John Blair of...
Today In Newport History: August 11, 1866 – First Roller Skating Rink Opens to...
James Plimpton, inventor of the modern quad roller skate, and the New York Roller Skating Association (NYRSA) leased the The Atlantic House Hotel in Newport and converted the dining room into a skating area on August 11th,...
On This Day In Newport History: July 17, 1954 – First Newport Jazz Festival...
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 18th, 1954 at the Newport...
On This Day In Newport History: July 15, 1876 – Margaret Van Alen Bruguiére...
Photo Credit
Margaret Van Alen Bruguiére, also known as Daisy Van Alen, was born on July 15, 1876 in Newport, Rhode Island.
While the name may not be familiar to many, the socialite, art collector and philanthropist was...
Today In Newport History: July 14, 1966 – Tanya Donelly Born In Newport
Photo Credit
Singer, songwriter and guitarist Tanya Donelly was born on July 14, 1966 in Newport.
Donelly co-founded Throwing Muses with her stepsister Kristin Hersh while attending Rogers High School in 1981. The band toured and recorded until 1997.
Donelly was...
Today In Newport History: July 11, 1780 – Rochambeau Arrives In Newport
On July 11, 1780 approximately 5,000 - 6,000 French soldiers commanded by Rochambeau arrived at King Park in Newport, Rhode Island.
The code name given by the French government for the plan was "Expédition Particulière" and its mission...
Today In History – July 3, 1969: Newport Jazz Fest Experiments With Rock Music
The Newport Jazz Festival experimented with rock music for the first time on July 3, 1969.
The festival's 1969 program was an experiment in fusing jazz, soul and rock music and audiences. Its lineup included,...
On This Day In Newport History – June 28, 1969: Newport Bridge Opens For...
The Claiborne Pell Bridge, commonly known as the Newport Bridge, opened on this day in 1969.
The main span of the Newport Bridge is 488 metres (1,601 ft), ranking it number 87 among the longest...
History: June 27, 1898 – Joshua Slocum Arrives in Newport, Becomes 1st Man to...
Did you know that the first solo circumnavigation of the globe was completed in Newport, Rhode Island?
Captain Joshua Slocum, a native of Novia Scotia, completed the feat on June 27th, 1898.
On April 24, 1895, at...
On This Day In History: June 27, 1966 – Dark Shadows premieres on ABC,...
Dark Shadows, an American Gothic soap opera, premiered on ABC on June 27, 1966.
Throughout the shows run from 1966 - 1971, The Collinwood...
On This Day In History – June 24, 1953: Jacqueline Bouvier and JFK Announce...
Jacqueline Bouvier and Sen. John F. Kennedy (D-Mass.) announced their engagement on this day in 1953. After she accepted his proposal, Kennedy presented her with a 2.88-carat diamond-and-emerald engagement ring from Van Cleef &...
On This Day In Newport History – June 9, 1869: Construction of First Torpedo...
Secretary of the Navy Adolph E. Borie, ordered the construction of the first torpedo station on Goat Island on June 9, 1869.
Cmdr. Edmund O. Matthews would become the first Commanding Officer, during the establishment,...
On This Day In Newport History – May 30, 1880: League of American Wheelmen,...
The League of American Bicyclists was founded as the League of American Wheelmen on May 30, 1880 in Newport, Rhode Island.
Bicyclists, known then as “wheelmen,” were challenged by...
Newport Historical Society to continue ringing Colony House bells every Friday at noon
Following up on a successful event last week, the Newport Historical Society today announced that they will continue to ring the bells at the Colony House until further notice.
Born On This Day In Newport – April 15, 1786: Walter Channing
Walter Channing, an American physician and professor of medicine, was born on April 15th, 1786 in Newport, RI.
Walter Channing was the grandson of William Ellery (who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence) the brother...