PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Governor Chafee and Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis celebrated the 350th anniversary of the arrival of Rhode Island's colonial charter Friday by urging educators to think about how the document can be incorporated into lessons.
"I encourage all educators throughout Rhode Island to learn more about the classroom strategies they can use in regards to Rhode Island's beloved historic document and its significant role in the evolution of our nation's judiciary," Chafee said.
The charter, recognized as the first document in modern history to guarantee freedom of religion without government interference, arrived in Newport on Nov. 24, 1663, according to a statement from the two offices.
Brown University historian Ted Widmer said that while we do not know "exactly the minds of the framers" of the U.S. Constitution, we know that Thomas Jefferson had a copy of the Rhode Island colonial charter and used one of the same phrases -- "wall of separation" -- to describe the relationship between religion and government.
"Rhode Islanders took a great step forward ... in 1663," he said.
About 50 people attended the event, held in the governor's State Room.