1. In 1937, a group of Rhode Island textile workers went on strike demanding better pay and working conditions. This led to the historic "Little Steel Strike" that spread across the country and eventually led to the formation of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO).

2. On January 20, 1953, Rhode Island Governor John S. Pastore became the first Italian-American to be sworn in as a governor in the United States.

3. In 1981, Rhode Island held its first Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade and celebration in Providence. The event has since become a beloved tradition in the state.

4. In 1997, Rhode Island native Dr. Charles C. J. Carpenter was appointed as the director of the Brown University AIDS Program. Dr. Carpenter's groundbreaking research and advocacy helped to advance the fight against HIV/AIDS in the state and around the world.

5. On January 20, 2015, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo was sworn in as the state's first female governor. Raimondo has since been a vocal advocate for women's rights, affordable healthcare, and social justice issues.