1. In 1776, Rhode Island declared independence from Great Britain: On December 26, 1776, Rhode Island became the first of the 13 colonies to declare independence from Great Britain.

2. The Battle of Trenton took place on December 26, 1776: During the American Revolution, the Continental Army led by George Washington surprised and defeated Hessian mercenaries hired by the British in Trenton, New Jersey.

3. The first performance of the play 'A Christmas Carol' in America occurred on December 26, 1861: The play, based on the famous novel by Charles Dickens, premiered in Boston, Massachusetts.

4. The USS Rhode Island was commissioned on December 26, 1906: The battleship was launched and named after the state and served in the Atlantic Fleet until 1920.

5. The Christmas flood of 2010 caused significant damage in Rhode Island: On December 26, 2010, heavy rain caused flooding in many parts of Rhode Island, resulting in significant damage to infrastructure and homes. Governor Lincoln Chafee declared a state of emergency and requested federal aid to help with the recovery efforts.