The Great Providence Quiz 3.0

History & Notable People

Total: 19 points

Posted

Question 1 (1 pt.)
B) The Providence Liberty Tree is at the intersection of North Main and Olney Streets. It was dedicated in 1768 and was rededicated in 1968.

Question 2 (5 pts.)
A/4: Royal Little was the founder of Textron. The multi-national conglomerate, which is still based in Providence, now includes Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft and Greenlee electrical tools, but it began in 1923 at the Special Yarns Company. Find Royal Little Drive

B/5: Billy Taylor was a leader and advocate in Mount Hope, one of the oldest African-American neighborhoods in the city, back in the ‘80s. Though he never held an official position, he was a respected figure, particularly among the youth of the neighborhood, for whom he would organize sports, camping trips, cookouts and more. He died in his early 30s due to a heart condition. Find Billy Taylor Park

C/1: Dave Gavitt Way is a service road running along 95 North that was recently dedicated in honor of the Big East Conference founder, following his death in September 2011 at 73 years old. He was also a former coach and athletic director for Providence College, one of the charter members of the Big East, and later was part of the committee that put together the famed USA Olympic Basketball “Dream Team” in 1992. Find Dave Gavitt Way

D/2: This question contains a slight factual error. John Milton Hay, for whom the library is named, did indeed serve under President Lincoln as private secretary and assistant; however, he did not ascend to Secretary of State until 1898, when he was appointed by President William McKinley. He remained in that position under the subsequent president, Theodore Roosevelt, until his death in 1905. Find the John Hay Library

E/3: Christopher Olney founded a grist and paper mill on the bank of the Woonasquatucket River, and later owned a farm in the area. Learn more about Olneyville

Question 3 (6 pts.)
The six living mayors of Providence are, from present to past:
-Angel Taveras, Democrat, 2011-present – the first Latino mayor of a city that is approximately 30% Latino
-David Cicilline, Democrat, 2003-2011 – now representing Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District
-John Lombardi, Democrat, 2002-2003 – interim mayor after the incarceration of Buddy Cianci
-Vincent “Buddy” Cianci, Independent, 1991-2002 – serving as mayor for the second time after leaving office due to an assault conviction; he later left office due to a racketeering conspiracy conviction
-Joseph Paolino, Democrat, 1984-1991
-Vincent “Buddy” Cianci, Republican, 1975-1984 – Providence’s first Italian-American mayor
-Joseph Doorley, Democrat, 1965-1975

Question 4 (1 pt.)
Providence is currently the Creative Capital, a nickname popularized during the Cicilline administration. During the second reign of Buddy Cianci it was the Renaissance City. During its industrial heyday, Providence was the Beehive of Industry, and one of the richest cities in the country. It is also known as the Divine City. However, the Scholarship City is a moniker that is claimed by Fall River, MA, which also boasts the ambitious motto “We’ll try.”

Question 5 (1 pt.)
Ambrose Burnside was a Union army general during the Revolutionary War who led successful campaigns in North Carolina and Tennessee, before meeting spectacular defeat in the Battle of Fredricksburg, earning him a reputation for military incompetence. He later served as Governor of Rhode Island from 1866-1869, and US Senator from 1875-1881. He is perhaps best known, however, for his particular brand of facial hair, which gave us the term sideburns. (See below.)


Question 6 (5 pts.)
Though the infamous Gaspee Affair, in which Rhode Islanders raided and burned a British customs ship that had been enforcing unpopular taxes in Narragansett Bay, occurred off the coast of Warwick (now known as Gaspee Point) and is commemorated with events in Warwick and Cranston, Providence residents played a major role. Upon learning that the HMS Gaspee had run aground while chasing the speedy Rhode Island packet boat Hannah, members of the Providence Sons of Liberty, led by Abraham Whipple and John Brown, gathered at the South Main Street tavern of proprietor Joseph Bucklin and hatched their plan to raid the ship.

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