1. In 1752, the first theatre in North Carolina opened in New Bern on September 2. The New Bern Theatre was considered to be the finest theatre in the South at the time.

2. On September 2, 1862, the Battle of Chantilly took place near Ox Hill in Fairfax County, Virginia. Many North Carolinians fought in the battle, which ended in a Union victory.

3. On September 2, 1979, Hurricane David struck North Carolina, causing widespread damage and flooding. The storm caused more than $180 million in damage and claimed 12 lives in the state.

4. On September 2, 1985, the North Carolina Zoo opened in Asheboro. It is one of the largest natural habitat zoos in the world and is home to more than 1,800 animals.

5. On September 2, 1991, Michael Jordan announced that he was retiring from basketball to pursue a career in professional baseball. Jordan, who played for the North Carolina Tar Heels in college, later returned to the NBA and led the Chicago Bulls to six championships.