1. In 1772, the Gaspee Affair took place in Narragansett Bay. A British customs schooner, the HMS Gaspee, was patrolling the waters when it ran aground. A group of local men, including some from Providence, boarded the ship and set it ablaze, protesting British taxation without representation.

2. In 1891, the International Tennis Hall of Fame was founded in Newport. The Hall of Fame honors the history and legends of tennis, and includes a museum, indoor and outdoor courts, and a grass court stadium where professional tournaments are held.

3. In 1937, the Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art opened in Providence. The museum has a collection of over 100,000 objects, including paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and textiles. It is one of the largest and most comprehensive art museums in the region.

4. In 1959, the first Portuguese Festival was held in Bristol. The festival celebrates the culture and heritage of the Portuguese community in the area, with music, dancing, food, and a parade.

5. In 1993, the Providence Bruins won the Calder Cup, the championship of the American Hockey League. The Bruins defeated the Syracuse Crunch in the finals, with standout performances from players such as Tom McVie Jr. and Dave Shaw. The team has since won two more Calder Cups, in 1998 and 1999.