1. On July 10, 1776, Rhode Island became the first colony to renounce allegiance to Great Britain and declare independence from the crown. The state declared its own constitution and became an independent republic until it joined the United States in 1790.

2. The first official naval battle of the American Revolution took place in Newport harbor on July 10, 1775. The British ship HMS Swan was spotted off the coast and the colonial authorities ordered artillery batteries onshore to fire on the vessel.

3. On July 10, 1864, a Confederate raiding party led by Colonel John S. Mosby attacked a Union Army outpost in Newport. The raid was successful, resulting in the capture of several prisoners and a large number of horses.

4. On July 10, 1957, the Newport Jazz Festival kicked off its first year. The festival featured performances by legendary musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Armstrong.

5. The Rhode Island Red chicken, the state bird and a popular breed of poultry worldwide, was officially recognized by the state on July 10, 1954. The chicken, known for its hardiness and high egg production, was developed by farmers in Little Compton and Tiverton in the late 1800s.