Rhode Island, aptly nicknamed "Little Rhody" because it is the smallest state in the United States, and its capital, Providence, have always been a little bit different, with an impact and importance greater than their size would suggest. The history here reaches back to the very beginnings of the United States and then some. Providence was founded in 1636 by the Rev. Roger Williams, primarily for reasons of religious freedom and separation of church and state, concepts that were well ahead of their time.