1. On March 20, 1777, the Halifax Resolves were adopted by the Fourth Provincial Congress in Halifax, North Carolina. These resolves were the first official action by an entire colony recommending independence from Great Britain and were a significant step towards the eventual declaration of independence.

2. On March 20, 1827, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill became the first public university in the United States to admit students. The university, which was founded in 1789, had previously only offered courses to graduates of other institutions.

3. In 1916, the first flight from North Carolina to New York City was completed by pilot Ruth Law. The flight, which took place on March 20, 1916, was a record-breaking achievement and helped to establish North Carolina as a center of aviation activity.

4. March 20, 1976, marked the opening of the North Carolina Zoological Park in Asheboro, North Carolina. The park, which covers over 2,000 acres, features more than 1,600 animals from 225 species and is one of the largest natural habitat zoos in the world.

5. On March 20, 2003, the Iraq War began, and several North Carolina-based military units were deployed to support the U.S. military effort. This included the 82nd Airborne Division, which was based at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and played a significant role in the invasion and subsequent occupation of Iraq.