1. Rhode Island became the 13th state to ratify the United States Constitution on December 23, 1787. The state's ratification was controversial, as Rhode Island was the last of the original thirteen colonies to approve the document.

2. The Rhode Island State House, one of the largest self-supporting marble domes in the world, was dedicated on December 23, 1904. The building has served as the seat of Rhode Island's government ever since.

3. On December 23, 1842, the Dorr Rebellion came to an end in Rhode Island. The uprising, led by Thomas Dorr, was an attempt to expand voting rights to non-property-owning white males. Dorr was arrested and convicted of treason, but his efforts contributed to changes in the state's voting laws.

4. December 23, 1776 marked the end of a month-long siege of Newport, Rhode Island by British forces during the American Revolutionary War. American forces, led by General John Sullivan, were forced to retreat after running low on supplies and ammunition.

5. On December 23, 1895, the first game of basketball was played in Rhode Island. The game was organized by a physical education teacher named Elmer A. Robinson, and was played at the YMCA in Pawtucket.