Question: what important events happened in rhode island before 1775?
Answer: 1614 - Dutch explorer Adriaen Block visited the island now named for him. ...  1708 - First census taken; population 7,181. ...  1776 - May 4 - The colony declared its independence. ...  1790 - 1812 - Rhode Island refused to participate in the War of 1812. ...  1910 - Population over 540,000.