1636
Providence founded by Roger Williams
1764
Brown University is founded
1776
Rhode Island is the first colony to declare independence from Great Britain
1790
Population is 6,380
1815
Great Gale hits Providence, caused severe damage and flooding
1829
Providence Journal begins daily publishing
1835
Providence and Boston Railroad begins operating
1847
Providence and Worcester Railroad begins operating
1848
Union Railroad Station opens
1868
Beginning of Providence’s Golden Age
1875
Cornerstone of City Hall is laid on June 24
1877
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is founded
1900
Population is 175,597
1914
Johnson & Wales University is founded
1938
Hurricane of 1938, Providence is submerged under nearly 11-foot storm tide
1940
Peak population is 253,504
1954
Hurricane Carol, downtown Providence is flooded
1966
Fox Point Hurricane Barrier is completed, first of its type in the U.S.
1986
Providence River Relocation Project begins
1994
Waterplace Park opens and WaterFire debuts