1. In 2030, Rhode Island will host the world’s largest offshore wind farm. Spanning over 400 square miles, the wind farm will include up to 200 individual turbines capable of generating enough energy to power over 1 million homes.

2. On January 16, 1776, General Nathanael Greene took command of the Continental Army in Rhode Island during the American Revolution. Greene, who hailed from Rhode Island, would prove to be a key figure in the war, ultimately rising to the rank of Major General and playing a critical role in the battles of Trenton, Brandywine and Germantown.

3. On January 16, 1846, the state’s first public high school, Providence High School, opened its doors. Founded on the principle of providing a free, quality education to all children, Providence High School would go on to become one of the most prestigious schools in the state, with notable alumni including actor Viola Davis and former U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell.

4. On this day in 1920, the Rhode Island State Police were established, becoming the first state police force in the United States. Originally formed to combat bootlegging and other Prohibition-era crimes, the Rhode Island State Police have since expanded their responsibilities to include highway patrol, criminal investigations, and homeland security.

5. In 1980, on this day, the tragic Station Nightclub Fire occurred, killing 100 people and injuring more than 200 others. The fire started during a concert by the band Great White when the use of pyrotechnics ignited flammable foam insulation that lined the walls and ceiling of the club. The incident remains one of the deadliest nightclub fires in U.S. history and sparked widespread changes in fire safety codes and regulations.