The resolution commemorates the 253rd anniversary of the burning of the British revenue schooner H.M.S. Gaspee by Rhode Island colonists on June 9, 1772, an act considered a pivotal moment in the American Revolution and a significant protest against British tyranny. This event not only marked the first bloodshed in the struggle for independence but also catalyzed the formation of a Committee of Correspondence, which eventually led to the Continental Congress and the Declaration of Independence. The resolution highlights the enduring legacy of this act of defiance, particularly in Pawtuxet Village, which has celebrated Gaspee Days since 1965 with various festivities, including a parade, fireworks, and reenactments.

Furthermore, the resolution acknowledges the Rhode Island General Assembly's designation of the second Saturday and following Sunday in June as Gaspee Days, urging citizens to participate in the 60th annual celebration. It calls for recognition of this historic event and its significance in the context of American independence, while also directing the Secretary of State to transmit a certified copy of the resolution to the Gaspee Days Committee.