1. In 1988, Hurricane Hugo made landfall near Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, causing widespread damage and power outages across North Carolina. The storm resulted in 27 deaths in the state and caused over $1 billion in damages.

2. On August 19, 1953, a major train wreck occurred in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Southern Railway passenger train collided with a freight train, resulting in 23 deaths and over 100 injuries. The cause of the accident was due to a miscommunication between the train crews and signal operators.

3. The Battle of Camden, a major Revolutionary War battle, occurred on August 16, 1780, near Camden, South Carolina. North Carolina troops played a significant role in the battle, with General Horatio Gates leading the Continental Army against British General Charles Cornwallis. The battle resulted in a British victory and forced Gates to retreat back to North Carolina.

4. August 19, 1897, marked the opening day of the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition in Omaha, Nebraska. The event featured exhibits and displays from across the country, including North Carolina. The North Carolina exhibit showcased the state's agriculture and industry, including tobacco, textiles, and furniture production.

5. In 1819, future North Carolina Governor William Alexander Graham was born in Vesuvius Furnace, Virginia. Graham would go on to serve as governor from 1845 to 1849 and again from 1851 to 1852. He also served as a U.S. Senator and Secretary of the Navy under President Millard Fillmore. Graham was known for his support of education and infrastructure development in North Carolina.