1. Rhode Island was one of the original thirteen colonies to declare independence from Great Britain on May 4, 1776, but it was not until December 25, 1776, that the British finally evacuated Newport, Rhode Island, and the American Revolutionary War officially ended in Rhode Island.

2. December 25, 1856, marked the opening of Rhode Island's first state prison in Providence. Previously, Rhode Island's prisoners were held in county jails, but the new prison was designed to be a model penitentiary with a focus on rehabilitation through work and education.

3. On Christmas Day, 1926, two historic theaters in Providence opened their doors to the public. The Loew's State Theatre on Washington Street and the Majestic Theatre on Broad Street were both grand venues that featured vaudeville acts, silent films, and later, "talkies."

4. Sadly, December 25, 1977, is remembered as one of the deadliest days in Rhode Island's history. The Blizzard of '77, which raged for several days, claimed 26 lives in the state and caused extensive damage to buildings, infrastructure, and the economy.

5. In recent years, Rhode Island has made headlines for its progressive policies and commitments to renewable energy. On December 25, 2016, the state's largest solar farm was dedicated in Coventry, Rhode Island. The facility generates enough clean energy to power around 800 homes and is part of the state's efforts to reduce emissions and increase renewable energy use.