Over a year before tea was dumped in Boston Harbor, a group of bold Rhode Island colonists blew up the British HMS Gaspee. Every year, I tell the tale of the raid that helped spark the Revolution.

June 9, 1772 In an incident that some regard as the first naval engagement of the American Revolution, colonists board the Gaspee, a British vessel that ran aground off the coast of Rhode Island, and set it aflame. #otd

#otd 9 June 1772 – The British schooner Gaspee is burned in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. #HMSGaspee #Royalnavy #Britishhistory #Rhodeisland #onthisdayinhistory #UShistory

The Gaspee Days Parade continues a tradition begun in 1965. Friends & neighbors crowd along a two-mile stretch of Narragansett Pkwy in Pawtuxet Village to cheer on colonial groups, drums corps, fire trucks, Shriners and a lot more. eastbayri.com/stories/gaspee…?

In honor of America’s “First Blow for Freedom”- the burning of the HMS Gaspee in 1772 off the coastline of Warwick, RI (now Gaspee Point)-I am raising a glass of Sestercentenial Ale. Huzzah!!

Gaspee Days 🇺🇸

In 1772 the HMS Gaspee ran aground after being lured into shallow water by a smaller merchant ship. Some patriots rowed toward her, captured the aggressive tax collecting Captian and burned the ship to the water line. The American Revolution had begun. #gaspeedays

Happy Gaspee Days, Rhode Island!

Gaspee Days!

See you Saturday!!

Info on pick up after Saturday!!

Gaspee Days Arts and Crafts weekend is here! Info on parking below! #Gaspee #GaspeeDays #Pawtuxet #RI #WarwickRI

#SundayToday The mug making an appearance at the 60th annual Gaspee Days Parade in Warwick RI. Erin Flynn, Tim Flynn and driving her new convertible in the parade Jean Lehman