Today in RI History
Explore significant events from Rhode Island's rich history.
August
August 1
Same-sex couples begin marrying in Rhode Island
Same-sex couples began marrying in Rhode Island.
Central Falls files for chapter nine bankruptcy
Central Falls filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy, one of the most visible municipal bankruptcies after the Great Recession
August 2
Providence hits record high of 104 degrees
Providence recorded 104°F, Rhode Island's state-record high temperature.
August 3
Whitehouse earns Senate Golden Gavel recognition
Sheldon Whitehouse earned the Senate's Golden Gavel recognition for presiding over the Senate for 100 hours.
August 4
Rhode Island campaign against Newport reaches decisive phase
The Rhode Island campaign against British-held Newport entered its decisive phase.
August 5
American forces advance during Newport campaign
American forces advanced during the Newport campaign.
August 6
Naval movements disrupt planned Rhode Island attack
A planned attack in the Rhode Island campaign was disrupted by shifting British and French naval movements.
August 7
Nathanael Greene born near Warwick Rhode Island
Nathanael Greene was born near Warwick, later becoming one of George Washington's most trusted generals.
August 8
F1 tornado strikes North Smithfield during historic outbreak
An F1 tornado touched down north of Bridgeton and tracked more than six miles into Massachusetts near North Smithfield during Rhode Island's only recorded back-to-back multi-tornado event.
August 9
Providence River Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge opens downtown
The $21.9 million Providence River Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge officially opened, built on footings that once carried I-195 across the river. It quickly became one of Providence's most-loved modern gathering spots.
August 10
Storm disrupts French naval operations off Rhode Island
French naval operations off Rhode Island were disrupted by storm and British maneuvering.
August 11
Viola Davis born, later grows up in Central Falls
Viola Davis was born; her family soon moved to Central Falls, where she grew up.
August 12
King Philip killed near Mount Hope, ending his war
Colonial forces under Captain Benjamin Church killed Wampanoag leader King Philip (Metacomet) in a swamp near Mount Hope in Bristol, ending King Philip's War, one of the bloodiest conflicts per-capita in American history.
August 13
Failed naval phase forces reconsideration of Newport siege
The failed naval phase of the Newport campaign forced American forces to reconsider the siege.
August 14
Bonded vault robbery defines Rhode Island crime history
The Bonded Vault robbery in Providence became a defining Rhode Island organized-crime case.
August 15
Actress Debra Messing, who grew up in East Greenwich, is born
Debra Messing, the Emmy-winning star of "Will & Grace," was born in Brooklyn, New York; her family moved to East Greenwich, Rhode Island, when she was a young child.
August 16
Rhode Island sues 13 companies over Washington Bridge failure
Rhode Island sued 13 companies over the Washington Bridge failure, alleging negligence and other claims tied to inspection, design, and maintenance.
August 17
George Washington tours Newport during Rhode Island visit
George Washington visited Newport during his Rhode Island tour.
August 18
Washington pledges religious freedom to Newport Hebrew Congregation
George Washington wrote his famous letter to Newport's Hebrew Congregation, declaring that the United States gives "to bigotry no sanction."
August 19
Nearly two thousand attend Butts Hill Fort dedication
Nearly 2,000 people attended a Butts Hill Fort dedication and Battle of Rhode Island reenactment.
August 20
Roderick Terry transfers forts for historic preservation
Roderick Terry transferred Butts Hill Fort and Fort Barton for preservation.
Horror writer H.P. Lovecraft born in Providence
H. P. Lovecraft was born in Providence
August 21
Newspapers report fort preservation gift to state
Newspapers reported the preservation gift of Butts Hill Fort and Fort Barton.
August 22
Federal Government halts Revolution Wind offshore project
The federal government issued a stop-work order halting Revolution Wind, a major offshore-wind project off Rhode Island.
August 23
Oliver Hazard Perry born in South Kingstown
Oliver Hazard Perry was born in South Kingstown; he later won the Battle of Lake Erie.
August 24
World champion boxer and actress Kali Reis born in Providence
Kali Reis was born in Providence. She became a world champion professional boxer and celebrated actress, co-starring in HBO's "True Detective: Night Country."
August 25
MGM leading man Van Johnson born in Newport
Actor Van Johnson was born in Newport and became one of MGM's biggest movie stars of the 1940s and '50s during Hollywood's golden age.
August 26
Americans abandon Newport siege lines today
American forces prepared to abandon the Newport siege lines.
August 27
Skirmishing continues before Battle of Rhode Island
Skirmishing and troop movements continued before the Battle of Rhode Island.
August 28
Tropical Storm Irene batters Rhode Island with heavy damage
Tropical Storm Irene made landfall in New England, knocking out power to more than half of Rhode Island households and causing significant coastal flooding and tree damage.
Thousands witness Battle of Rhode Island pageantry
Thousands watched Battle of Rhode Island pageantry at Butts Hill Fort.
August 29
Battle of Rhode Island tests 1st Regiment
The Battle of Rhode Island was fought on Aquidneck Island, including the famous service of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment.
August 30
American forces complete withdrawal after battle
American forces completed their withdrawal after the Battle of Rhode Island.
August 31
Hurricane Carol devastates Rhode Island near Newport
Hurricane Carol made landfall near Newport and devastated Rhode Island.