1. North Carolina Ratifies the Constitution - On January 13, 1789, North Carolina became the 12th state to ratify the US Constitution, making it the official law of the land. The state had initially refused to ratify, citing concerns about a strong central government, but ultimately came around.

2. First Flight of the Wright Brothers - On January 13, 1915, Wilbur Wright, half of the famous Wright Brothers duo, flew his first successful flight at Huffman Prairie in Dayton, Ohio. The Wright Brothers spent a great deal of time in North Carolina, including conducting their first powered flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903.

3. Biltmore Estate Opens to the Public - On January 13, 1930, the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina opened to the public for the first time. Built by George Vanderbilt in the late 1800s, the estate is still one of the largest and most impressive homes in America.

4. North Carolina State Capitol Burns Down - On January 13, 1831, the North Carolina State Capitol in Raleigh was destroyed by a massive fire. The cause of the fire was never determined, but it was believed to have started in the State Library.

5. North Carolina Plays Key Role in Civil Rights Movement - On January 13, 1963, students from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University staged a sit-in at the Woolworth's Lunch Counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, sparking a national movement for civil rights. The sit-in was one of the first and most successful of its kind, and helped to pave the way for the Civil Rights Act of 1964.