1. In 1775, the first bloodshed of the American Revolutionary War occurred in Rhode Island. The British sloop-of-war Gaspee was burned off the coast of Providence by American colonists, marking the beginning of the colonial resistance against British rule.

2. On May 11, 1790, Rhode Island became the last of the original thirteen colonies to ratify the U.S. Constitution, following a long and contentious debate over the document's provisions.

3. Rhode Island's first statehouse was completed on May 11, 1797, located in the center of Providence. The building was used as the state's capitol until 1901, when it was replaced by the current capitol building.

4. May 11, 1876 marks the opening of the Newport Casino in Newport, Rhode Island. The building was unique in its combination of social, athletic, and gaming facilities and was a popular destination for the wealthy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

5. On May 11, 1993, the Rhode Island Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex partners, recognizing them as a "family" under the state's workers' compensation law. This was a landmark decision in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and represented a significant step forward for equal protection under the law.