The Rhode Island House of Representatives has introduced a resolution to commemorate the 60th annual Gaspee Days Celebration and the 253rd anniversary of the burning of the H.M.S. Gaspee, a significant event in American history. On June 9, 1772, Rhode Island colonists captured and burned the British revenue schooner, marking a bold act of defiance against British tyranny and serving as a catalyst for the American Revolution. This act not only symbolized the colonists' resistance but also led to the formation of a Committee of Correspondence, which played a crucial role in the establishment of the Continental Congress and the Declaration of Independence.
The resolution encourages the citizens of Rhode Island to participate in the Gaspee Days festivities, which have been celebrated annually since 1965 in Pawtuxet Village. This year's events will include a fireworks display, a 5K road race, live music, an Arts & Crafts Festival, and a parade featuring the burning of the Gaspee in effigy, along with Revolutionary War reenactments. The resolution also mandates that a certified copy be sent to the Proclamation Chairman of the Gaspee Days Committee, reinforcing the importance of this historical commemoration.
Introduced By: Representatives McNamara, Handy, Shekarchi, Blazejewski.
Date Introduced: June 12.
Referred To: House read and passed.