1. In 1776, Rhode Island became the first colony to declare independence from Great Britain. The colony's General Assembly passed a resolution renouncing its ties to the British Crown and embracing a new government based on the principles of liberty and democracy.

2. On November 23, 1887, the Rhode Island State House was officially opened after three years of construction. The grand building, located in Providence, is the largest wooden dome made in the United States.

3. In 1888, the first Brown University vs. Dartmouth College football game was played on November 23 in Providence. Brown won the game 26-0, and the annual matchup between the two teams is still played today.

4. On November 23, 1944, the USS Samuel B. Roberts, a destroyer escort from Rhode Island, was lost in the Battle off Samar during World War II. The ship fought bravely against a much larger Japanese naval force, and its sacrifice helped to secure a critical victory for Allied forces in the Pacific.

5. In 1976, the first International Textile Exposition and Symposium was held in Providence on November 23. The event brought together textile experts and manufacturers from around the world to showcase the latest in textile technology and design.