1. Rhode Island was founded on October 8, 1636, by Roger Williams. Williams established Providence Plantations as a haven for religious dissenters, advocating for the separation of church and state.

2. On October 8, 1777, the British captured Fort Barton during the Revolutionary War. The fort, located in present-day Portsmouth, was a strategic location for the Americans in blocking British advancement.

3. The Providence Bruins, a professional ice hockey team, played their first game as an American Hockey League franchise on October 8, 1992. The team has been a popular sports fixture in Rhode Island ever since.

4. On October 8, 1936, the Hurricane of 1938 struck Rhode Island, causing widespread destruction and claiming the lives of over 100 people. The hurricane is one of the most powerful and devastating storms in the state's history.

5. The Newport Folk Festival, one of the most iconic music festivals in the country, was held for the first time on October 8, 1959. The festival has featured legendary acts such as Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Pete Seeger, and continues to attract music fans from around the world.