1. The Battle of Kinston: On February 14, 1865, Union forces under the command of Major General William T. Sherman clashed with Confederate troops near Kinston, North Carolina, in one of the final engagements of the Civil War. The battle resulted in a Union victory, paving the way for the eventual capture of Savannah, Georgia, and the end of the war.

2. The Birth of Jim "Catfish" Hunter: On February 14, 1946, eight-time All-Star pitcher Jim "Catfish" Hunter was born in Hertford, North Carolina. Hunter is considered one of the greatest pitchers of his era, having won five World Series championships with the Oakland A's and New York Yankees during the 1970s.

3. The First State Capitol: On February 14, 1794, the first state capitol building in Raleigh, North Carolina, was completed. The building served as the seat of state government until 1833, when it was replaced by a larger, more modern structure that still serves as the capitol to this day.

4. The Death of Blackbeard: On February 14, 1719, notorious pirate Blackbeard was killed in a battle with British naval forces near Ocracoke Island, North Carolina. The pirate had terrorized the coastlines of the Carolinas for years, and his death was seen as a victory for the British authorities.

5. The Creation of Valentine's Day: While not strictly a North Carolina-specific event, February 14 is of course Valentine's Day, a celebration of love and romance that dates back centuries. Interestingly, one theory suggests that the holiday has its roots in an ancient Roman fertility festival called Lupercalia, which was celebrated in mid-February.