History of North Carolina, USA

1587 - First English colony in North America is established in North Carolina, at Roanoke
In 1587, the first English colony in North America was established on Roanoke Island, off the coast of present-day North Carolina. Led by John White, the expedition aimed to establish a permanent settlement under the sponsorship of Sir Walter Raleigh, as part of England's efforts to establish a foothold in the New World. The settlers, including men, women, and children, faced numerous challenges upon arrival, from navigating unfamiliar terrain and climate to dealing with interactions with local Native American tribes.

Despite initial difficulties, the colony began to show promise. However, circumstances took a dramatic turn when John White returned to England for supplies. Due to various delays, including the outbreak of war between England and Spain, White was unable to return to Roanoke until 1590. When he finally arrived, the entire colony had vanished without a trace, giving rise to the enduring mystery of the "Lost Colony of Roanoke." The disappearance remains a subject of... Read MORE...

1705 - First town in North Carolina, Bath, was built
In 1705, Bath, North Carolina, gained distinction as the first town established in the state. Situated along the banks of the Pamlico River in what was then known as Bath County, the town's founding marked an important moment in North Carolina's colonial history. Originally settled by European colonists, Bath quickly became a center of commerce and government for the region.

The town's strategic location along navigable waterways facilitated trade and communication, bolstering its growth and significance in the colonial landscape. Bath's development was further spurred by its designation as the seat of Bath County, ensuring its role as a hub for local governance and administration. Over time, Bath flourished as a bustling port town, attracting settlers and merchants seeking economic opportunities in the expanding colony of North Carolina.
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1709 - September 3 - 1st major group of Swiss/German colonists reaches NC/SC

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1752 - October 1 - The second severe hurricane in two weeks hit the Carolinas. The Onslow County Courthouse was destroyed along with all its records, and Beacon Island (NC) disappeared.

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October 1, 1752

1776 - North Carolina first state to vote for independence

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1789 - North Carolina admitted to Union as 12th state; University of North Carolina received charter, first public school in U. S.

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1846 - March 2 - A great storm hit Virginia and the Carolinas. The storm caused half a million dollars damage, and in North Carolina drowned fifty families and a thousand cattle on Notts Island.

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March 2, 1846

1853 - First North Carolina state fair held

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1861 - May 20 - North Carolina left Union, voted to "undo" the act that had brought it into the United States, rather than secede

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1862 - December 30 – The USS Monitor sinks in storm in the Atlantic off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.
On December 30, 1862, the USS Monitor met a tragic end in the stormy waters off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. The Monitor had achieved fame earlier in the year for its pioneering design as the first ironclad warship commissioned by the United States Navy. It had become an iconic symbol of innovation during the Civil War, notably for its turret-mounted guns that revolutionized naval warfare.

The sinking occurred while the Monitor was being towed southward from Hampton Roads, Virginia, to join the Union blockade squadron off the North Carolina coast. Despite its earlier successes in battles like the famous duel with the CSS Virginia (formerly the Merrimack) in March, the Monitor was ill-suited for oceanic travel due to its low freeboard and heavy turret. Caught in a fierce storm, the vessel foundered and sank, claiming the lives of sixteen crew members.
December 30, 1862

1877 - April 9 - Oregon Inlet, NC, was widened three quarters of a mile by a nor'easter.

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April 9, 1877

1878 - To Girls
Never marry a man who has only his love for you to recommend him. It is very fascinating, but it does not make the man. - If he is not other-wise what he should be, you will never be happy. The most perfect man who did not love you should never be your husband. But though marriage without love is terrible, love only will not do. If the man is dishonorable to other men, or mean, or given to any vice, the time will come when you will either loathe him or sink to his level. It is hard to remember, amidst kisses and praises, that there is anything else in the world to be done or thought of but love-making; but the days of life are many, and the husband must be trusted - a companion, a friend, as well as a lover. Many a girl has married a man whom she knew to be anything but good, "because he loved her so." And the flame has died out on the hearthstone of home before long, and beside it there has been silting one that she could never hope would lead her heavenward or - who, if she... Read MORE...

February 19, 1884 - Severe thunderstorms spawned sixty tornadoes in the southeastern U.S., killing more than 420 persons and causing three million dollars damage. Georgia and the Carolinas hardest were hit in the tornado outbreak.

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1895 - North Carolina
North Carolina, kār-o-li'na, a southern Atlantic state of the American Union, of which it was one of the original thirteen members, bounded N. by Virginia, E. and S.E. by the Atlantic, S. by South Carolina and Georgia, and W. by Tennessee. It lies between 33° 53' and 36° 33' N. lat. and 75°25' and 84° 30' W. lon. Its greatest length, E. and W., is 490 miles; extreme breadth, 185 miles; area, 52,250 square miles...

History.-In 1585 and 1586 Raleigh planted colonies upon Roanoke Island, but the first permanent settlements were made by Virginians near the northern border. In 1663 the province of Carolina was granted by Charles II. The philosopher Locke devised for it a fantastical form of government, with an aristocracy of landgraves and caciques, and for twenty-five years this form of government was to some extent maintained. This part of Carolina was then called Albemarle. Some of the Indian tribes (Corees, Tus caroras, Nottoways, &c., principally of Iroquois stock) attacked the... Read MORE...

1899 - August 17 – A Hurricane San Ciriaco makes landfall in North Carolina's Outer Banks, completely destroying the town of Diamond City.
On August 17, 1899, Hurricane San Ciriaco, one of the deadliest and most destructive hurricanes in Atlantic history, struck the North Carolina Outer Banks with devastating force. Diamond City, a small settlement on the barrier islands, bore the brunt of the storm's fury. The hurricane, named after the Catholic Saint of Ciriaco, packed winds exceeding 100 miles per hour and brought with it a storm surge that inundated the low-lying coastal areas. Diamond City, already vulnerable due to its location, was completely obliterated by the relentless power of the hurricane. Homes were swept away, businesses destroyed, and the once-thriving community reduced to rubble overnight.

The impact of Hurricane San Ciriaco extended far beyond Diamond City, affecting communities up and down the eastern seaboard of the United States. The storm caused widespread flooding, washed out roads and railways, and disrupted communication lines, isolating many areas for days. In terms of human toll, hundreds... Read MORE...

1903 - December 17 – Orville Wright flies an aircraft with a petrol engine at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in the first documented, successful, controlled, powered, heavier-than-air flight.
THE MACHINE ACTUALLY FLIES
Successful Trial of Kitty Hawk, N.C., of Wright Brother's Invention.

NORFOLK, Va., Dec. 18. - A successful trial of a flying machine was made yesterday near Kitty Hawk, N. C., by Wilbur and Orville Wright, of Dayton, Ohio. The machine flew for three miles in the face of a wind blowing at the registered velocity of 21 miles and hour and then gracefully descended to earth at the spot selected by the man in the navigator's car as a suitable landing place. The machine has no balloon attachment but gets it force from propellors worked by a small engine.

Preparatory to its flight the machine was placed upon a platform near Kitty Hawk. This platform was built on a high sand hill and when all was in readiness the fastenings to the machine were released and it started down an incline. The navigator, Wilbur Wright then started a small gasoline engine which worked the propellors. When the end of the incline was reached the machine gradually arose until it... Read MORE...

1954 - Hurricane Hazel struck, 19 people killed, several hundred injured, 15,000 homes destroyed

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2023 - North Carolina has something for everyone. Here's a list of places to go and things to do in the Tar Heel State:
Explore the Great Smoky Mountains: Head to the western part of the state to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You can hike, camp, or simply take in the breathtaking views of the Appalachian Mountains.

Visit Asheville: This charming city in the mountains is known for its vibrant arts scene, historic architecture, and the Biltmore Estate, America's largest home. Don't forget to explore the local breweries and enjoy the live music scene.

Relax on the Outer Banks: These barrier islands along the coast are a paradise for beach lovers. You can also explore historic lighthouses, visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial, and go hang gliding.

Discover the Research Triangle: The cities of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill make up the Research Triangle, a hub of education and technology. Explore the North Carolina Museum of Art, the Durham Bulls baseball team, and the beautiful campus of the University of North Carolina.

Experience the Blue Ridge Parkway: Often called... Read MORE...