1. 1790: Rhode Island becomes the 13th state of the United States of America.
On November 2, 1790, Rhode Island officially became the 13th state of the United States of America. It had been resisting joining the Union for nearly three years until the new U.S. Constitution was ratified by Congress, which was the final push Rhode Island needed to join.

2. 1887: The first women's college basketball game is played in Smithfield.
On November 2, 1887, the first women's college basketball game was played at Pembroke Hall, now known as Slater Hall, in Smithfield, Rhode Island. The game was between sophomores and freshmen of Rhode Island's own Brown University.

3. 1898: The first petroleum gas plant in the United States was established in Providence.
On November 2, 1898, the first petroleum gas plant in the United States was established in Providence, Rhode Island. Known as the Providence Gas Co., the plant processed coal into gas, but by 1905, the company began using petroleum gas as a fuel source.

4. 1976: Rhode Island governor John Chafee is elected to the Senate.
On November 2, 1976, Rhode Island Governor John Chafee was elected to the Senate during the 1976 U.S. Senate Election. Though he was a Republican, Chafee had been widely touted for his ability to work with Democrats and had remained relatively popular within the state throughout his tenure.

5. 2004: Rhode Island becomes the first state in the United States to ban smoking in almost all workplaces and public areas.
On November 2, 2004, Rhode Island became the first state in the United States to implement a comprehensive smoking ban that restricted smoking in almost all workplaces and public areas. The legislation was introduced by then-Governor Don Carcieri, and it was praised as a major public health initiative that would help to reduce smoking-related illnesses and deaths.