Providence's flag, adopted in 1915, features a dark blue field with the municipal seal at the center. The seal shows the arrival of Roger Williams at Providence, on a shield surrounded by a circle of rope, with "SEAL OF THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE" at the top and "FOUNDED 1636" above "INCORPORATED 1832" at the bottom.
Roger Williams is no minor historical figure. Banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1636 for his radical religious views (separation of church and state, freedom of conscience), he founded Providence as a refuge for religious freedom. It was revolutionary: no state religion, no religious persecution.
The city became the cradle of Rhode Island, the smallest American state but also one of the most important for religious freedom.
Today, Providence is the capital of Rhode Island and a hub of education (Brown University, Rhode Island School of Design) and culture. The historic downtown preserves colonial buildings standing alongside modern towers. The seal of Roger Williams on the flag is a reminder that Providence was founded on a radical principle: freedom of belief.