Rhode Island 250th Anniversary CanvasFirst to Declare Independence, Art Deco Wall Print On May 4, 1776, a full two months before the Declaration of Independence, Rhode Island's General Assembly voted to renounce allegiance to the British Crown, making it the first American colony to formally declare independence. Small state. Enormous courage. This Art Deco canvas celebrates that singular act of defiance as America marks its 250th anniversary year. Rendered in deep ocean blue, cream, and