1. In 1864, Confederate General Robert E. Lee's army began its assault on Union-held Fort Harrison near Richmond, Virginia. Among the Confederate troops was the 26th North Carolina Infantry, which suffered heavy casualties in the fighting.

2. On September 1, 1923, the city of Durham experienced a devastating fire that destroyed much of its downtown area. The blaze broke out in a tobacco warehouse and quickly spread to neighboring buildings, causing millions of dollars in damage.

3. In 1954, Hurricane Carol made landfall on the North Carolina coast, causing extensive damage and flooding. The storm was responsible for 21 deaths in the state and was one of the worst hurricanes to hit the area in the 20th century.

4. On September 1, 1981, Pope John Paul II visited Charlotte as part of his tour of the United States. The pontiff celebrated Mass at Charlotte Coliseum, where he was greeted by thousands of worshippers.

5. In 1985, the first Raleigh Downtown Live concert was held on September 1. The event, which featured top-name musical acts, became an annual tradition and drew thousands of people to the city's downtown area each year.