1. On March 18, 1759, Rhode Islanders voted to establish the first officially recognized Jewish congregation in the United States. The congregation was named the Touro Synagogue and is still active in Newport, Rhode Island to this day.

2. In 1797, the first naval battle of the Quasi-War between the United States and France took place off the coast of Newport, Rhode Island. The USS Boston captured the French privateer Le Berceau, marking a significant victory for the young American navy.

3. March 18, 1852 saw the founding of Brown University's Women's College, which later became Pembroke College. It was the first college in the United States to offer women a degree-granting program.

4. On March 18, 1937, a natural disaster struck Rhode Island in the form of the worst flood the state had ever seen. Heavy rains caused the Blackstone River to overflow, which in turn flooded nearby towns and destroyed countless homes and businesses.

5. The Rhode Island State House, located in Providence, was dedicated on March 18, 1904. It is an impressive building made of white Georgia marble and is notable for its imposing dome, which stands at 225 feet tall. Today, the State House serves as the seat of government for the state of Rhode Island.