1. In 1865, Union forces arrived in Wilmington, marking the end of the Civil War in North Carolina. This marked the end of the Confederacy in the state, and helped to solidify the end of the war nationally.

2. On July 29, 1958, the Carolina Times, the state's oldest African American newspaper, published a scathing editorial about the Virginia law which mandated segregation in public schools. The editorial sparked a national conversation about segregation and helped to push the Civil Rights movement forward.

3. In 1971, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was moved from its original location to prevent it from toppling into the ocean. The move was a massive engineering feat and required the construction of a custom rail system to transport the 208-foot lighthouse.

4. On July 29, 1981, the NC General Assembly established the North Carolina Aquariums. The first aquarium, located in Roanoke Island, opened in 1986 and has since become a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike.

5. In 2006, the Durham Bulls Athletic Park hosted the AAA All-Star Game, marking the first time the event had been held in the state. The game brought together some of the best minor league players from across the country and helped to showcase Durham's thriving sports culture.