1) On January 12, 1944, the USS Gudgeon, a submarine built in Rhode Island, sank a Japanese transport ship, making it one of the most successful submarine missions in World War II.
2) In 1832, the Rhode Island Anti-Slavery Society was founded in Providence with William Lloyd Garrison as one of its members. Garrison was a prominent abolitionist who advocated for the immediate and unconditional end of slavery.
3) On January 12, 1932, a major fire broke out at the Rhode Island State House, causing significant damage to the historic building. It took several years of restoration work to fully repair the damage caused by the fire.
4) In 1916, Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence opened to the public. The zoo is now home to over 160 species of animals and is one of the most popular attractions in Rhode Island.
5) On January 12, 1871, Brown University played in the first intercollegiate basketball game against McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Although they lost the game, it was a significant moment in the history of basketball and sports in general.