1. The First Baptist Church in America was founded on July 9, 1638 in Providence, Rhode Island. It is the oldest Baptist church in the United States and was founded by Roger Williams, a religious exile from Massachusetts who believed in religious freedom.

2. The Battle of Rhode Island or the Siege of Newport began on July 9, 1778. This was the first French and American joint operation of the Revolutionary War against the British and led to the liberation of Newport, Rhode Island.

3. On July 9, 1877, Governor Henry Lippitt signed a bill that established the Rhode Island State Board of Health. This was the first state board of health in the United States and became a model for other states.

4. The Narragansett Park opened on July 9, 1934, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. It was a horse racing track that became one of the most popular race tracks in the country at the time.

5. Providence College announced on July 9, 2020, that it would be dropping its nickname “Friars” and would remove its Dominican friar mascot. This was in response to concerns from students and faculty about the history of the Dominican Order and its role in the colonization of the Americas.