1. In 1783, the first recorded hot air balloon flight in America was completed in New Bern, North Carolina. The balloon, called the "North Carolina," was piloted by Frenchman Jean-Pierre Blanchard and American John Jeffries.

2. On December 4, 1839, the North Carolina Legislature incorporated Wake Forest College, which is now known as Wake Forest University. The school was originally located in the town of Wake Forest before moving to Winston-Salem in 1956.

3. In 1945, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill officially opened the Playmakers Theater, which has since featured performances by renowned actors and playwrights such as Andy Griffith, Tennessee Williams, and Sam Shepard.

4. On December 4, 1971, the UNC Tar Heels defeated the Duke Blue Devils in a historic football game known as "The Fog Bowl." The game was played in a thick fog that made it difficult for the players and fans to see the field, but UNC ultimately won 17-13.

5. In 2003, the city of Raleigh unveiled the Raleigh Convention Center, a state-of-the-art facility that hosts conventions, trade shows, and other events throughout the year. The center has since become a major venue for business and cultural events in the region.