1. In 1790, North Carolina became the 12th state to ratify the United States Constitution, solidifying its place in the union.

2. The Wright Brothers made their first successful powered flight on October 14, 1903, in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. This breakthrough moment in aviation history paved the way for modern air travel.

3. On October 14, 1947, Chuck Yeager became the first person to break the sound barrier while flying the Bell X-1 rocket plane over the Mojave Desert. Yeager was born in Myra, West Virginia, but spent a large portion of his career training and testing aircraft at various airfields throughout North Carolina.

4. In 1961, construction on the Blue Ridge Parkway was completed. This scenic road winds its way through the Appalachian Mountains, connecting Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina.

5. North Carolina State University was founded on October 14, 1887, as a land-grant institution. Today, the university is renowned for its research in fields such as agriculture, engineering, and veterinary medicine. Notable alumni include basketball coach Jim Valvano and former governors James B. Hunt Jr. and Terry Sanford.