1. Rhode Island became the first colony to prohibit the importation of slaves on March 24, 1774. This act was passed in response to the growing abolitionist movement and marked an important milestone in the fight against slavery in America.

2. On March 24, 1885, the Rhode Island State House was completed after four years of construction. The building was designed by the prominent architect, Charles Follen McKim, and features a distinctive white marble dome.

3. The historic Bristol–Warren Bridge was officially dedicated on March 24, 1958. This suspension bridge spans the Kickemuit River between the towns of Bristol and Warren and is one of the longest bridges in Rhode Island.

4. On March 24, 1971, the Rhode Island Supreme Court ruled that students at Brown University had the right to protest on campus without fear of expulsion. This landmark decision helped establish the right to free speech on college campuses across the country.

5. The Rhode Island Red, a breed of chicken that is known for its deep, mahogany-colored feathers, was officially designated the state bird on March 24, 1954. This hardy bird is valued for its meat and eggs and has become an important symbol of Rhode Island's agricultural heritage.