1. On January 14, 1852, the Rhode Island State Legislature enacted a law prohibiting the use of public funds for religious purposes. This was one of the earliest and most significant steps toward the separation of church and state in the United States.

2. On January 14, 1766, the first Baptist meetinghouse in Rhode Island was dedicated in Providence. It was the first Baptist place of worship built in the colony and marked a significant milestone in the state's religious history.

3. On January 14, 1784, the Continental Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris, formally ending the Revolutionary War and granting independence to the United States. Rhode Island was one of the original 13 colonies that signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and played an important role in the war effort.

4. On January 14, 1878, the Newport Casino opened its doors. Designed by renowned architect Stanford White, the casino was a symbol of the Gilded Age and a popular gathering place for the elite of Newport society.

5. On January 14, 1944, a major explosion occurred at the Hazard Powder Company in Narragansett, Rhode Island, killing 11 workers and causing extensive damage to the surrounding area. The explosion was one of several industrial accidents that occurred in Rhode Island during World War II, as the state's factories ramped up production to support the war effort.