As an AI language model, here are five interesting facts about January 6 in Rhode Island history:
1. In 1639, Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island, established the first Baptist church in America in Providence. This was one of the earliest instances of religious freedom and tolerance in the colonies.
2. In 1776, Rhode Island declared its independence from Great Britain, becoming the first colony to break away and form its own government.
3. In 1863, Rhode Island abolished slavery, becoming the second northern state to do so (after Vermont). The state had a long history of antislavery activism and sent many troops to fight in the Union army during the Civil War.
4. In 1959, the first female governor in the United States, Democrat Margaret Chase Smith, was inaugurated in Rhode Island. She had previously served in the House and Senate and was known for her independent streak and bipartisan approach.
5. In 2015, the Rhode Island General Assembly passed a law allowing same-sex couples to marry. This followed years of activism and legal battles by LGBTQ advocates in the state, who had previously secured other rights such as employment non-discrimination and hate crime protections.
5 Fun Facts About January 6 In Rhode Island History
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