1. Gaspee Affair: On April 9, 1772, the H.M.S. Gaspee, a British customs schooner tasked with enforcing navigation laws and preventing smuggling, ran aground in Narragansett Bay. A group of colonists from Rhode Island boarded the ship, captured the crew, and burned it to the water line. The event, known as the Gaspee Affair, was a significant precursor to the American Revolution and helped to galvanize anti-British sentiment in the colonies.

2. Birth of Gilbert Stuart: Gilbert Stuart, one of America's foremost portrait painters, was born on April 9, 1755, in Saunderstown, Rhode Island. Some of his most famous works include portraits of George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. Stuart's paintings are known for their vivid realism and his ability to capture the personalities of his subjects.

3. First synagogue in Rhode Island: On April 9, 1763, a group of Jewish immigrants in Newport, Rhode Island, founded Touro Synagogue, the first synagogue in the state. The synagogue is considered one of the oldest in the United States and is a National Historic Site. It is known for its beautiful architecture and historical significance in the development of religious freedom in America.

4. Brown University founded: On April 9, 1764, the charter for Rhode Island College, later renamed Brown University, was signed by the colony's governor, Stephen Hopkins. The university was founded as a Baptist institution but has since become a nonsectarian research university. Brown is known for its rigorous academic programs and its commitment to fostering a diverse community of scholars.

5. Providence Bruins win Calder Cup: On April 9, 1999, the Providence Bruins, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Boston Bruins, defeated the Rochester Americans to win their first Calder Cup championship. The team was led by head coach Peter Laviolette, who went on to coach the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup championship in 2006. The Providence Bruins continue to be a popular fixture in the Rhode Island sports scene.