On the great seal, the symbol that represents God and His protection/guidance of the United States, is the golden light breaking through white cloud; it is also known as “glory”. The symbol of the ring of golden light rays that breaks through a white cloud, like some other symbols on the coat of arms, seems to be an inspired symbol of divine protection which the founding fathers drew from God's guidance of the biblical Israelites by using a "pillar of fire".
Babylonian Captivity, also called Babylonian Exile, the forced detention of Jews in Babylonia following the latter's conquest of the kingdom of Judah in 598/7 and 587/6 bce.
America's littlest state had a big independence streak. <Rhode Island>, distrustful of a powerful federal government, was the only one of the 13 original states to refuse to send delegates to the Constitutional Convention.
