1. 1774: The First Colonial Congress of North Carolina was held in New Bern, in which North Carolinian colonists discussed their concerns about the increasingly stringent British laws and taxes.

2. 1916: The first flight of the first military helicopter, the H-1, was conducted by Corning native, Harold D. "Doc" Pitcairn, at Bristol, Pennsylvania. Pitcairn would later found an aviation company, which would eventually become the Keystone Aircraft Corporation.

3. 1944: During World War II, the USS Franklin, an aircraft carrier, was severely damaged by a Japanese attack near Guam, resulting in heavy casualties. However, the bravery and determination of the ship's crew allowed it to return to the United States under its own power, earning it the nickname, "The Ship That Wouldn't Die."

4. 1985: During a speech in Charlotte, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed October 4 as "National Child Health Day," encouraging Americans to work towards a healthier and safer environment for children.

5. 2016: Hurricane Matthew made landfall in North Carolina, causing widespread flooding and damaging homes, businesses, and infrastructure. The storm resulted in 26 deaths in the state and an estimated $1.5 billion in damages.