1. On September 17, 1787, Rhode Island became the last state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, more than a year after it was initially adopted by the Constitutional Convention. The state had opposed the Constitution due to concerns over state sovereignty and individual rights.

2. On September 17, 1838, the Newport and Providence Railroad opened, becoming the first railroad in Rhode Island and one of the earliest in the United States. The railroad connected the cities of Newport and Providence, and facilitated the growth of industry and commerce in the state.

3. September 17, 1959 marked the opening of the University of Rhode Island's Kingston campus, which had been located in Providence since its founding in 1892. The new campus provided state-of-the-art facilities for students and faculty, and helped to establish URI as a leading research institution.

4. On September 17, 1991, Hurricane Bob made landfall in Rhode Island, causing widespread damage and flooding. The storm caused six deaths in the state, and resulted in nearly $1 billion in property damage.

5. September 17, 2018 marked the first Indigenous Peoples' Day in Rhode Island, which was designated to honor and celebrate the Native American peoples and cultures that have inhabited the region for thousands of years. The state joined several other cities and states across the U.S. in replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day.