1. On November 22, 1774, the Rhode Island General Assembly passed a resolution instructing its delegates to the Continental Congress to vote for independence from Great Britain if necessary.
2. The first Thanksgiving Day in Rhode Island was celebrated on November 22, 1781, in Newport. It was declared a day of public thanksgiving and was marked by church services and feasting.
3. On November 22, 1849, the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) was founded as the Rhode Island School of Design and Mechanics' Arts. It was the first art and design school in the country to offer a degree.
4. November 22, 1872, is the birthdate of the famous Rhode Island philosopher and poet, George Santayana. He was a professor at Harvard University and is best known for his quote, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
5. On November 22, 1846, the first issue of The Daily Transcript was published in Providence. It was the first daily newspaper in Rhode Island and covered local and national news as well as business and legal updates.