Today in RI History
Explore significant events from Rhode Island's rich history.
June
June 1
Serril Dodge launches Providence's early jewelry manufacturing
Providence's jewelry industry began to take shape with Serril Dodge's early North Main Street shop, a foundation for the city's later jewelry-manufacturing identity.
June 2
Rhode Island pursues federal disaster aid after floods
Rhode Island's recovery from the March floods continued into federal disaster-assistance and infrastructure repair.
June 3
Rhode Island forces mobilize for Revolutionary War effort
Rhode Island's Revolutionary forces were drawn deeper into New England's military mobilization.
June 4
Senator Francis Malbone dies on Capitol steps
Rhode Island Sen. Francis Malbone died on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.
June 5
Writer Spalding Gray born in Providence
Writer and performer Spalding Gray was born in Providence.
June 6
Brothers Theodore and Dwight Foster serve in Senate
Rhode Island Sen. Theodore Foster and his brother Dwight Foster of Massachusetts became a rare pair of brothers serving simultaneously in the U.S. Senate.
June 7
38 Studios files bankruptcy after loan guarantee fails
38 Studios filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy after Rhode Island's $75 million loan guarantee collapsed.
June 8
Rhode Islanders prepare to confront HMS Gaspee
Rhode Islanders prepared to confront HMS Gaspee after the British revenue schooner ran aground.
June 9
Rhode Islanders burn HMS Gaspee in colonial resistance
Rhode Islanders attacked and burned HMS Gaspee, one of the major pre-Revolutionary acts of resistance to British authority.
June 10
Pirates captured near Block Island face execution
Pirates captured near Block Island were executed and buried, part of Rhode Island's Atlantic piracy history.
June 11
Former House Speaker Gordon Fox sentenced to prison
Gordon Fox, the first openly gay Speaker of the RI House, was sentenced to 3 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to bribery, wire fraud, and tax evasion tied to a $52,000 bribe and $108,000 in stolen campaign funds.
June 12
Record-breaking June storm floods Rhode Island rivers
A slow-moving storm dumped 6–8 inches of rain across Rhode Island in three days (June 12–15, 1998), producing the wettest June on record and causing widespread flooding.
June 13
Novelist Cormac McCarthy, Providence native, dies
Providence-born novelist Cormac McCarthy died.
June 14
Rhode Island troops join Continental Army mobilization
Rhode Island troops were part of the widening Revolutionary mobilization as the Continental Army was authorized.
June 15
Dorr Rebellion reaches crisis over state constitution
The Dorr Rebellion remained at crisis level as Rhode Island's rival constitutional visions confronted each other.
June 16
Rhode Island forces build up before Bunker Hill
Rhode Island forces were active in the military buildup immediately before Bunker Hill.
June 17
Filmmaker Bobby Farrelly born in Cumberland
Bobby Farrelly, filmmaker, was born in Cumberland, Rhode Island.
June 18
War of 1812 threatens Rhode Island's maritime economy
The War of 1812 began, putting Rhode Island's maritime economy and coastal communities under pressure.
June 19
Rhode Island codifies abortion rights into state law
Rhode Island enacted the Reproductive Privacy Act, codifying abortion rights in state law
Revolutionary General Nathanael Greene dies
Nathanael Greene died.
June 20
King Philip's War erupts, soon engulfing Rhode Island
King Philip's War began with Wampanoag attacks on colonial settlements at Swansea in neighboring Plymouth Colony. The conflict quickly spread into Rhode Island and became, per capita, one of the deadliest wars in American history; its pivotal Great Swamp Fight was fought in southern Rhode Island that December.
June 21
Corruption reporter Jim Taricani dies
Investigative journalist Jim Taricani, whose work became central to Rhode Island corruption reporting, died.
June 22
Roger Williams settles Providence Colony
Roger Williams settled at Providence, according to Rhode Island historical date tradition.
June 23
Pawtucket Red Sox win historic 33-inning game
The Pawtucket Red Sox completed the longest professional baseball game in history, winning in the 33rd inning at McCoy Stadium.
June 24
Buddy Cianci convicted of racketeering conspiracy
Buddy Cianci was convicted of racketeering conspiracy in Operation Plunder Dome.
June 25
Rhode Island's first senators take oath
Rhode Island's first U.S. senators took their oaths at Federal Hall in New York.
June 26
Rhode Island holds first Pride March
Rhode Island's first Pride march took place in Providence after organizers sued for the right to march.
June 27
Providence poet Sarah Helen Whitman dies
Sarah Helen Whitman, Providence poet and Edgar Allan Poe associate, died.
June 28
Newport Bridge opens as New England's longest suspension
The Newport Bridge, now the Claiborne Pell Bridge, opened to traffic and became New England's longest suspension bridge.
June 29
Dorr Rebellion forces dispersed at Chepachet
Dorr Rebellion forces dispersed at Chepachet, ending the armed phase of the uprising.
June 30
Rhode Island prepares for Franco-American Newport Campaign
Rhode Island prepared for the Franco-American campaign against British-occupied Newport.