1. In 1637, Roger Williams, the founder of the colony of Rhode Island, purchased the land that would become the city of Providence from the Narragansett Indians. This purchase solidified the establishment of the first permanent English settlement in the Rhode Island colony.

2. On April 17, 1775, news of the first battles of the American Revolution at Lexington and Concord reached Rhode Island. The alarm caused by this news prompted the colony's militia to prepare for the possibility of conflict with the British, and helped to spark the colonial uprising that would eventually lead to independence.

3. The Battle of Shiloh, one of the most significant battles of the American Civil War, began on April 17, 1862. While this battle was not fought in Rhode Island, it had a profound impact on the course of the war and ultimately helped to secure the victory of the Union army.

4. On April 17, 1964, the Newport Folk Festival announced its lineup for the upcoming summer season, which would feature such legendary performers as Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Pete Seeger. This festival helped to establish Newport as a hub of the folk music scene and solidified its reputation as a destination for prominent artists and performers.

5. In 2015, Rhode Island became the 10th state in the United States to legalize same-sex marriage. The law, which was signed into effect on April 17, 2013, represented a significant step forward for LGBTQ+ rights in the state and was celebrated by advocates and activists throughout Rhode Island and beyond.