1. In 1676, Rhode Island's Great Swamp Fight occurred on March 16. This was a significant battle during King Philip's War, with around 300 Native Americans killed or captured by English colonists and their Native American allies.

2. On March 16, 1776, the British landed on Rhode Island, occupying Newport and making it their headquarters for the duration of the Revolutionary War. The city was under British control until the end of the war in 1783.

3. The Providence Grays, one of Rhode Island's most successful baseball teams, was founded on March 16, 1878. They played in the National League from 1879 to 1885 and won the World Series in 1884.

4. Rhode Island's first state flag was adopted on March 16, 1897. The flag features a yellow anchor surrounded by 13 stars on a blue background, representing Rhode Island as one of the original 13 colonies.

5. The first women's intercollegiate basketball game was played on March 16, 1895, in Rhode Island. The game was between the Senda Berenson's freshmen team from Smith College and a team from St. Mary's School in Providence. Smith College won the game 3-0.