Today in RI History
Explore significant events from Rhode Island's rich history.
February
February 1
Senate holds funeral services for Sen. Nathan Dixon
The U.S. Senate held funeral services for Rhode Island Sen. Nathan Fellows Dixon.
February 2
Original Popeye voice Billy Costello born in Providence
William "Billy" Costello, the Providence native who voiced Popeye the Sailor in the character's first 26 animated shorts from 1933–35, was born. He later toured Europe billed as "The Original Voice of Popeye."
February 3
Jack Reed leads Senate Armed Services Committee
Jack Reed became chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, giving Rhode Island a major role in national defense oversight.
February 4
Ida Lewis rescues two soldiers from drowning
Ida Lewis rescued two soldiers from drowning near Lime Rock Light in Newport, adding to her legend as one of America's most famous lighthouse keepers.
February 5
Senate adopts Anthony Rule limiting dilatory tactics
The U.S. Senate adopted Rhode Island Sen. Henry B. Anthony's "Anthony Rule," an early Senate procedure limiting dilatory tactics.
February 6
Blizzard of 1978 paralyzes Rhode Island
The Blizzard of '78 paralyzed Rhode Island with two to four feet of snow.
February 7
Rhode Island allows enslaved men Continental Army service
Rhode Island moved toward allowing enslaved men to enlist in the Continental Army, a decisive step toward the 1st Rhode Island Regiment.
February 8
Rhode Island begins gradual end to slavery through emancipation law
Rhode Island enacted gradual emancipation, beginning the legal end of slavery in the state for children born after the law's effective date.
February 9
Actor Charlie Day born in Middletown
Actor Charlie Day, raised in Middletown, was born.
February 10
Judge approves final 38 Studios collapse settlement
A judge approved the final settlement tied to the 38 Studios collapse, closing one of Rhode Island's largest economic-development scandals.
February 11
Steamer Larchmont sinks off Block Island
The steamer Larchmont sank off Block Island, one of New England's deadliest maritime disasters.
February 12
"Cheers" star Nicholas Colasanto dies of heart attack
Nicholas Colasanto, the Providence-born actor who played bartender "Coach" Ernie Pantusso on "Cheers," died of a heart attack in Los Angeles. Over 300 mourners attended his funeral Mass at Holy Cross Church in Providence.
February 13
Actress Mena Suvari born in Newport
Actress Mena Suvari was born in Newport.
February 14
Rhode Island authorizes enslaved men in Revolutionary regiment
Rhode Island authorized enslaved men to enlist in the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, creating one of the Revolution's most important Black and Indigenous military units.
February 15
Declaration signer William Ellery dies
William Ellery, Rhode Island signer of the Declaration of Independence, died.
February 16
Shooting at Pawtucket youth hockey event kills three
A shooting at a Pawtucket youth hockey event killed three people, including the shooter, and injured others.
February 17
George Mendonsa, V-J Day kiss figure, dies
George Mendonsa, the Rhode Islander associated with the famous V-J Day Times Square kiss photograph, died.
February 18
Providence newspapers intensify resistance to British rule
Providence's Revolutionary-era unrest intensified as local newspapers reflected resistance to British rule.
February 19
Newport merchant Jacob Rodriguez Rivera dies
Jacob Rodriguez Rivera, Newport merchant, candle-maker, and slave trader, died in Newport.
February 20
Station nightclub fire kills 100 in West Warwick
The Station nightclub fire in West Warwick killed 100 people and injured more than 200, becoming one of the deadliest nightclub fires in U.S. history.
February 21
Supreme Court rules on Rhode Island-Massachusetts boundary dispute
The U.S. Supreme Court decided Rhode Island v. Massachusetts, part of the long-running boundary dispute between the states.
February 22
Senator Pastore reads Washington's Farewell Address in Senate
Rhode Island Sen. John Pastore read Washington's Farewell Address in the Senate, a chamber tradition tied to the state's first Italian American senator.
February 23
Blizzard of 2026 shatters Rhode Island's all-time snowfall record
A historic nor'easter dumped 37.9 inches of snow at T.F. Green Airport, Rhode Island's biggest snowstorm on record, breaking the 48-year-old mark set by the Blizzard of 1978.
February 24
Governor Cooke documents Rhode Island's military crisis
Gov. Nicholas Cooke's wartime correspondence documented Rhode Island's military crisis during the British occupation of Newport.
February 25
Lighthouse keeper legend Ida Lewis is born
Ida Lewis, the legendary Newport lighthouse keeper, was born.
February 26
Continental Navy commander Esek Hopkins dies
Esek Hopkins, Rhode Islander and first commander-in-chief of the Continental Navy, died.
February 27
Revolutionary chaplain Enos Hitchcock dies in Providence
Enos Hitchcock, Revolutionary War chaplain and influential Providence minister, died.
February 28
Rhode Island enlists enslaved men into Revolutionary Regiment
Rhode Island formally moved forward with the enlistment of enslaved men into the 1st Rhode Island Regiment.
February 29
Providence NAACP leader convicted in campaign finance case
Providence NAACP President Gerard Catala was convicted in a criminal campaign-finance case, one of the few substantial Rhode Island public-corruption items on leap day.