1. On January 16, 1839, North Carolina Governor Edward Dudley signed an Act that established the state's first public school system, marking a significant step towards better education and literacy rates for North Carolina residents.

2. January 16, 1896, was the birth date of Dizzy Gillespie, the renowned jazz trumpeter and composer who was born in Cheraw, South Carolina, but spent much of his formative years in North Carolina. Gillespie's innovative style and musical contributions continue to influence the jazz world today.

3. In 1911, on January 16, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was completed and became operational. At 198 feet tall, it is one of the tallest brick lighthouses in the country and continues to provide guidance to mariners navigating the treacherous waters off the coast of North Carolina.

4. North Carolina's first African American chief justice of the state Supreme Court, Henry Frye, was sworn in on January 16, 1983. He went on to serve in this role for eight years, demonstrating his commitment to justice and equality for all North Carolina residents.

5. On January 16, 2016, the Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team achieved a notable accomplishment by defeating the North Carolina State Wolfpack by a score of 88-78. This victory marked the Blue Devils' 200th all-time win against North Carolina State, making them the first team in ACC history to achieve this milestone.