1. In 1863, Rhode Island Governor William Sprague IV issued a proclamation for a day of thanksgiving and prayer in response to President Lincoln's national proclamation for the same purpose. This was the first time that Thanksgiving was officially celebrated in Rhode Island.

2. In 1920, the Rhode Island State Police was established, making it the oldest state police agency in the United States.

3. In 1975, the historic mansion in Newport known as The Elms was opened to the public as a museum. The mansion was designed by architect Horace Trumbauer and built in 1901 for coal magnate Edward Julius Berwind.

4. In 1991, the United States Postal Service issued a stamp featuring the Rhode Island Red, a chicken breed developed in Rhode Island in the late 19th century. The Rhode Island Red is known for its ability to lay eggs and is the state bird of Rhode Island.

5. In 2004, the Providence Bruins hockey team set a world record for the most fans wearing animal noses at a sporting event. The record was set during a game against the Manchester Monarchs, with 5,929 fans wearing red animal noses to show their support.