The land that is now the State of Rhode Island was first settled by Europeans in July 1621, however, this was not the first time that Europeans had visited and spent time in the area.

That distinction belongs to Giovanni da Verrazzano and the crew of La Dauphine who explored the area in 1524 and spent 15 days with members of the Narragansett and Wampanoag Tribes, leaving behind a detailed account of their journey for future generations.