As June begins, Rhode Island is preparing to celebrate the anniversary of one of its most important revolutionary events - the burning of the Gaspee .

While Rhode Island's neighbor Massachusetts is better known as the birthplace of the American Revolution , the burning of the Gaspee was one of the most influential events leading up to the war, marking the first major armed act of rebellion against the British. This year, the event will celebrate its 253rd anniversary on June 9, and the town of Warwick is hosting its annual Gaspee Days celebration in commemoration.

Here's a brief history of the revolutionary event, as well as how to attend this year's Gaspee Days celebration.

History of the Burning of the Gaspee

While the burning of the Gaspee happened in June 1772, tensions between

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