1. Civil Rights Activist Ella Baker was born in Norfolk, Virginia on December 22, 1903. She spent many years working in North Carolina as an organizer for the NAACP and other civil rights organizations in the 1950s and 60s, including the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).

2. The Battle of White Marsh took place in eastern North Carolina on December 22, 1862, during the Civil War. This engagement between Union and Confederate forces resulted in a tactical victory for the Confederates, but they were ultimately forced to withdraw due to supply issues.

3. The Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) officially opened on December 22, 1943. Originally built as a military base during World War II, the airport has since become a major transportation hub for the region.

4. On December 22, 1956, the North Carolina Tar Heels defeated the Michigan State Spartans in the first-ever ACC-Big Ten Challenge basketball game. The ACC-Big Ten Challenge has since become an annual event showcasing some of the top college basketball programs in the country.

5. The North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro opened its doors to the public on December 22, 1979. Spread out over 2,600 acres, the zoo is home to over 1,800 animals from around the world, including elephants, lions, and gorillas.