What year did Roger Williams establish Rhode Island?

Roger Williams established Rhode Island in 1636. He was a Puritan minister who advocated for religious freedom and the separation of church and state—a revolutionary idea at the time. After facing persecution for his beliefs in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Williams fled south and founded what would become Rhode Island as a safe haven for those seeking religious liberty. This early settlement explicitly contrasted with many other colonies that required religious conformity. The foundation of Rhode Island in 1636 is significant in American history as it represents one of the first instances of a society built on principles of tolerance and freedom of worship.