1. In 1637, a group of colonists led by Roger Williams purchased land from the Narragansett Indians, which would later become the town of Portsmouth. This event marked the beginnings of Rhode Island's commitment to religious freedom and equal rights.

2. On May 13, 1787, the Rhode Island General Assembly rejected the United States Constitution, becoming the only state to do so. Rhode Island feared that the new federal government would take away church property or interfere with religious freedom.

3. In 1842, the Dorr Rebellion erupted in Rhode Island, when supporters of Thomas Dorr attempted to install a new constitution and government. The rebellion failed, but it led to reforms and changes in the state's electoral system.

4. On May 13, 1908, the Rhode Island State House was completed after 10 years of construction. The building features a distinctive marble dome and is considered one of the most beautiful state capitol buildings in the United States.

5. In 1950, a devastating flood struck Rhode Island, causing over $20 million in damage and claiming 13 lives. The flood, caused by heavy rainfall and poor infrastructure, led to significant changes in the state's flood control and management policies.