1. On July 17, 1997, the USS North Carolina battleship was opened to the public in Wilmington. The ship, which served in World War II and now serves as a museum, attracts thousands of visitors each year.

2. North Carolina was one of the original 13 colonies, and on July 17, 1775, the first Provincial Congress was held in Hillsborough. This congress paved the way for North Carolina to declare independence from Britain.

3. On July 17, 1902, the first flight in North Carolina was made by the Wright brothers in Kitty Hawk. The flight lasted only 6.8 seconds and covered a distance of 120 feet.

4. On July 17, 1862, the Battle of Snicker's Gap was fought in Loudoun County, Virginia, but North Carolina troops played a pivotal role in the Confederate victory. The battle was part of the larger Second Battle of Bull Run.

5. On July 17, 1988, the Charlotte Hornets selected Rex Chapman in the first round of the NBA draft. Chapman went on to play 12 seasons in the NBA and was one of the most popular players in Hornets history.