1. On August 10, 1774, the "Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence" was signed in Charlotte, North Carolina. This document, which is now disputed, claimed that the people of Mecklenburg County had declared their independence from Great Britain more than two years before the Continental Congress did so nationally.

2. On August 10, 1868, the North Carolina Constitution was adopted. This constitution, which is still in effect today with numerous amendments, established the structure of the state government and provided for reforms including the establishment of free public schools and the prohibition of poll taxes.

3. On August 10, 1946, the "Polio Pioneers" vaccine trial began in North Carolina. This study, which involved thousands of children across the state, was critical in the development of the polio vaccine and is credited with helping to stem the tide of the deadly disease.

4. On August 10, 1963, the first public television station in North Carolina began broadcasting. WUNC-TV, which serves the Research Triangle area, streams PBS programming and produces local news, public affairs, and cultural programming.

5. On August 10, 2010, the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics was named the top public high school in the United States by Newsweek magazine. The school, which is located in Durham, was founded in 1980 and provides advanced education in math and science to talented students statewide.