1. In 1865, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston surrendered to Union General William T. Sherman in Durham, North Carolina, effectively ending the Civil War in the state. This surrender was followed by the Emancipation Proclamation, which ensured the end of slavery in North Carolina.

2. In 1933, the first flight of the NC-134W aircraft, known as the "flying forerunner," was completed in Greensboro. This aircraft was ahead of its time as it had retractable landing gear, a metal fuselage, and a powerful engine.

3. In 1963, the sport of basketball was forever changed when Duke University defeated Loyola Chicago 94-75 to win the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship. This game marked the first time a team from North Carolina had won the championship.

4. In 1983, the Outer Banks of North Carolina were struck by a severe nor'easter that caused the worst beach erosion in the area's history. The storm caused significant damage to homes and businesses, and some areas were left without power for several days.

5. In 2016, North Carolina passed the controversial House Bill 2 (HB2), which required individuals to use bathrooms that matched the sex on their birth certificate. This law sparked widespread protests and boycotts, leading to its eventual repeal in 2017.