1. In 1775, Rhode Island declared its independence from Great Britain on June 19, becoming the first of the original 13 colonies to do so. This led to an ongoing struggle for the state's independence during the American Revolution.

2. The first school for African American children in Newport, Rhode Island was established on June 19, 1822, by Mary H. E. Cole. This was a groundbreaking achievement and paved the way for greater educational opportunities for African Americans in the state.

3. On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to spread the news that slavery had been abolished, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed. This date is celebrated as Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.

4. The Rhode Island State House was dedicated on June 19, 1904, after nearly seven years of construction. The building's iconic marble dome is the fourth-largest self-supporting marble dome in the world and has become a symbol of the state's government and history.

5. On June 19, 1936, the Pell Bridge, a suspension bridge spanning the Narragansett Bay and connecting Newport and Jamestown, was opened to the public. The bridge remains a vital transportation link in Rhode Island and is recognized as a engineering marvel.