1. On April 2, 1798, the North Carolina General Assembly approved the establishment of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, making it the first public university in the United States. Today, UNC-Chapel Hill is known for its distinguished academics and research programs.

2. In 1865, during the American Civil War, Union forces under General William Sherman occupied the city of Raleigh, North Carolina. This helped bring an end to the war, as it signaled the Confederacy's loss of control over the state.

3. On April 2, 1936, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was officially established. The park spans the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, and is known for its scenic beauty and diverse wildlife.

4. In 1960, North Carolina-born poet and activist Maya Angelou published her first book, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings." The book, which chronicles Angelou's early life growing up in the segregated South, is considered a classic of American literature.

5. On April 2, 1987, North Carolina's first female Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Susie Sharp, retired from her position. Sharp, who was appointed to the court in 1962, was known for her pioneering work in advancing women's rights and advocating for juvenile justice reform.