1. On September 26, 1774, the First Continental Congress passed a resolution supporting the Rhode Island colony in their resistance to the British Crown's authority. This resolution united the colonies and set the stage for the Revolution.

2. The USS Bristol, a Navy cruiser named after Bristol, Rhode Island, was commissioned on September 26, 1970. This ship saw action in the Gulf War and was decommissioned in 1993.

3. On September 26, 1883, the famous ocean liner SS Oregon was launched in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. This ship set a new record for the fastest transatlantic crossing, beating the previous speed record by almost a day.

4. P.G. Wodehouse, the famous British author known for his humorous novels and stories, was born on September 26, 1881. Although he was born in England, Wodehouse spent many years living in Rhode Island.

5. On September 26, 1960, John F. Kennedy, then running for President, spoke to a crowd of supporters in downtown Providence. This speech helped to solidify support for Kennedy in Rhode Island and was part of his successful bid for the presidency.