1. In 1865, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston surrendered to Union General William T. Sherman at Bennett Place in Durham, effectively ending the Civil War in the Carolinas.
2. In 1933, the Blue Ridge Parkway was authorized by Congress. This scenic drive through the Appalachian Mountains spans over 450 miles and is a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike.
3. In 1984, a tornado outbreak struck the Carolinas, with 22 tornadoes reported in North Carolina alone. The outbreak resulted in 42 fatalities and hundreds of injuries.
4. In 1992, a major fire broke out at the Imperial Foods chicken processing plant in Hamlet, North Carolina, killing 25 workers and injuring dozens more. The tragic incident highlighted safety concerns in workplaces across the country.
5. In 2011, North Carolina was hit by a series of severe storms and tornadoes, resulting in 24 fatalities and extensive damage throughout the state. The storms were part of a larger outbreak that affected several Southern and Midwestern states.