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.