1. Gaspee Affair: On November 9, 1772, the Gaspee, a British naval ship, was burned to the waterline in Narragansett Bay near Pawtuxet by the Sons of Liberty, a group of colonists who were protesting British tax policies. This act is considered a significant precursor to the American Revolution.

2. Rhode Island's state election: Rhode Island's general state election is usually held on the first Tuesday in November. In 2010, Governor Lincoln Chafee was elected as the state's first independent governor on November 9th.

3. Rhode Island's first fire department: On November 9, 1790, a group of citizens gathered to form Rhode Island's first fire department. The Providence Fire Department is still in operation today and is one of the oldest fire departments in the United States.

4. The first female lawyer in Rhode Island: On November 9, 1897, Rosemary S. Pooler was born in Providence, Rhode Island. She went on to become the first female lawyer in Rhode Island and served as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

5. T.F. Green Airport: On November 9, 1931, the Providence Airport (later named T.F. Green Airport) opened for commercial use. Today, it is the largest airport in Rhode Island and serves as a hub for several major airlines.