As an AI language model, I do not have personal beliefs or opinions, but I can provide the following 5 interesting facts about May 23 in Rhode Island history:

1. On May 23, 1658, Rhode Island passed a law prohibiting slavery in the colony. It was the first British colony to do so, although enforcement of the law was lax and Rhode Island was still a major participant in the transatlantic slave trade.
2. On May 23, 1777, the Continental Army under General John Sullivan began a campaign against the Iroquois Confederacy in western New York. Rhode Island soldiers played a significant role in the campaign, which resulted in the destruction of Iroquois villages and crops.
3. On May 23, 1790, Rhode Island became the last of the thirteen original states to ratify the United States Constitution. The delay was due to concerns about the power of the new federal government and the lack of a bill of rights.
4. On May 23, 1914, the USS Rhode Island, a battleship in the United States Navy, was commissioned and began its service in World War I. The ship participated in several major naval battles, including the Battle of Jutland in 1916.
5. On May 23, 1980, a major fire destroyed a large portion of downtown Providence, Rhode Island. The fire started in the abandoned Arcade building and quickly spread to other nearby buildings. Despite the extensive damage, there were no fatalities and the city began to rebuild immediately.