1. On December 14, 1636, Roger Williams arrived in present-day Rhode Island after being banished from Massachusetts Bay Colony for advocating for religious freedom and the separation of church and state. He founded the settlement of Providence and established a government based on democratic principles.

2. In 1914, on December 14, the Narragansett Pier Casino in Narragansett, a popular seaside resort town in Rhode Island, burned down. The casino was a popular entertainment venue that hosted concerts, dances, and other events attracting notable figures such as President William Howard Taft and Mark Twain.

3. On December 14, 1901, Harry Atwood, a young aviator, completed the first flight in Rhode Island history. He flew his balloon from Boston and landed in Providence, covering a distance of approximately 50 miles.

4. The Newport Bridge, now known as the Claiborne Pell Bridge, was opened to traffic on December 14, 1969. The bridge spans 11,248 feet over the East Passage of Narragansett Bay and connects Newport to the mainland of Rhode Island.

5. On December 14, 1990, the Roger Williams National Memorial was designated as a national historic site by the U.S. Congress. The site commemorates the life and legacy of Roger Williams, who played a significant role in the founding of Rhode Island and championed religious liberty and tolerance. Today, the site is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.