1. In 1772, the Gaspee Affair took place in Narragansett Bay. This was a significant event in the lead up to the American Revolution, as a group of colonists led by Abraham Whipple boarded and burned the British revenue schooner, the HMS Gaspee.

2. On June 16, 1846, the Providence & Worcester Railroad was incorporated. This railway company played a crucial role in the transportation of goods and people throughout Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

3. In 1903, Suffrage Day was celebrated in Rhode Island on June 16th. This was an important event in the women's suffrage movement, as it marked the day when the state ratified the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution in 1919, giving women the right to vote.

4. On June 16, 1966, the Newport Folk Festival began. This iconic annual event featured performances from some of the biggest names in folk, country, and rock music, including Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Johnny Cash.

5. June 16th is also the birthday of Thomas C. Slater, a prominent Rhode Island politician who served as a state representative for 26 years. Slater was instrumental in the passage of legislation aimed at increasing funding for education and infrastructure in the state.