History of North Carolina in Timeline

North Carolina, a state in the Southeastern U.S., borders Virginia, the Atlantic Ocean, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. It is the 28th-largest and 9th-most populous state. Raleigh is the capital, while Charlotte is the most populous and rapidly growing city, serving as a major banking center. The Charlotte metropolitan area had an estimated population of 2,883,370 in 2024. The Research Triangle is another significant metropolitan area, home to the largest research park in the U.S., with an estimated population of 2,368,947 in 2023.

December 17, 1903: First Flight at Kitty Hawk

On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright successfully piloted the world's first controlled, sustained flight of a powered, heavier-than-air aircraft at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

1914: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company sales

By 1914, R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company was selling 425 million packs of Camels a year.

1926: Mount Olive Pickle Company founded

In 1926, the Mount Olive Pickle Company was founded in Mount Olive, North Carolina.

1954: Hurricane Hazel

Hurricane Hazel hit North Carolina as a Category 4 storm in 1954, becoming the strongest storm ever to make landfall in the state.

1956: Meeting leading to the creation of the park

In 1956, Governor Luther H. Hodges held a meeting which helped lead to the creation of Research Triangle Park.

1959: Establishment of Research Triangle Park

In 1959, Research Triangle Park was established as the largest research park in the United States.

1960: Greensboro sit-ins

In 1960, the Greensboro sit-ins played a crucial role in the Civil Rights Movement.

January 24, 1961: B-52G crash near Goldsboro

On January 24, 1961, a B-52G broke up in midair and crashed near Goldsboro, dropping two nuclear bombs without detonation.

1964: Civil Rights Act of 1964

After the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed, it started to enforce the constitutional rights of Black citizens.

1965: Voting Rights Act of 1965

After the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed, it started to enforce the constitutional rights of Black citizens.

1968: James Taylor releases "Carolina in My Mind"

In 1968, James Taylor released the song "Carolina in My Mind", which has been called an unofficial anthem for the state of North Carolina.

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1973: Golden Corral founded

In 1973, the Golden Corral restaurant chain was founded in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

1974: NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four in Greensboro

In 1974, the city of Greensboro hosted the NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four.

1976: First Democrat win

In 2008, demographic shifts, population growth, and increased liberalization in densely populated areas such as the Research Triangle, Charlotte, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Fayetteville, and Asheville, propelled Barack Obama to victory in North Carolina, the first Democrat to win the state since 1976.

1976: Carter Victory

Since Southern Democrat Jimmy Carter's comfortable victory in the state in 1976, the state had consistently leaned Republican in presidential elections.

1980: Life Expectancy

Between 1980 and 2014, male life expectancy in North Carolina increased by an average of 6.9 years, and female life expectancy increased by 3.2 years.

1986: Archaeological findings at Joara

Since 1986, archaeological findings at Joara have confirmed the 16th-century settlement of Fort San Juan.

1988: Charlotte Hornets NBA franchise

In 1988, North Carolina gained its first professional sports franchise, the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

1989: Cook Out founded

In 1989, Cook Out, a popular fast-food chain, was founded in Greensboro, North Carolina.

1990: Growth of Hispanic population

Between 1990 and 2000, North Carolina's Hispanic population more than doubled.

1992: First African American U.S. Representative elected since Reconstruction

In 1992, another African American was elected as a U.S. Representative from North Carolina for the first time since Reconstruction.

1992: Clinton close to victory

In the 1990s, Democrat Bill Clinton came within a point of winning the state in 1992.

1994: NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four in Charlotte

In 1994, the city of Charlotte hosted the NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four.

1995: Carolina Panthers NFL first season

In 1995, the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL) had their first season being based in Charlotte.

1996: SAT scores

In 1996 North Carolina was 48th nationally in SAT scores.

1996: Discovery of Queen Anne's Revenge remains

In 1996, Intersal, Inc. discovered the remains of a vessel likely to be the Queen Anne's Revenge.

1997: Carolina Hurricanes NHL move to Raleigh

In 1997, the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL) moved to Raleigh.

2000: Growth of Hispanic population

Between 1990 and 2000, North Carolina's Hispanic population more than doubled.

2000: Bush victory

In 2000, Republican George W. Bush easily won the state by more than 13 points.

2000: U.S. District Court Ruling on 12th Congressional District

In 2000, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina ruled that the 12th congressional district was an illegal racial gerrymander.

2000: Economic division

Since 2000, a division has been seen in the economic growth of North Carolina's urban and rural areas.

2001: Supreme Court Reversal in Easley v. Cromartie

In 2001, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the Eastern District of North Carolina's ruling in Easley v. Cromartie, stating that the 12th district boundaries were based on partisan rather than racial gerrymandering, a political question outside the court's purview.

2001: STEM Industries Growth

Since 2001, STEM industries in the area surrounding North Carolina's capital have grown 17.9 percent.

2002: USDA survey

In the 2002 USDA survey, North Carolina ranked second in the production of Christmas trees.

2004: SAT Testing Rate

In 2004, 76% of North Carolina high school students took the SAT.

2006: Acquisition of The Charlotte Observer

In 2006, The Charlotte Observer was acquired by the company that owned The News and Observer.

2006: Carolina Hurricanes Win Stanley Cup

In 2006, the Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup, becoming the only major professional sports team from North Carolina to have won a league championship.

2007: USDA survey

In the 2007 USDA survey, North Carolina ranked second in the production of Christmas trees.

May 3, 2008: USS North Carolina commissioned

On May 3, 2008, another USS North Carolina, a nuclear attack submarine, was commissioned in Wilmington.

2008: Obama Victory

2009: Education Board Chairman

In 2009, the chairman of North Carolina's State Board of Education also became the "chief executive officer" for the state's school system.

January 15, 2010: Truffle Hub

On January 15, 2010, North Carolina was noted as an international hub for truffles.

2010: Racial composition at 2010 census

At the 2010 census, the racial composition of North Carolina was: White: 68.5%, Black or African American: 21.5%, Latin and Hispanic American of any race: 8.4%, some other race: 4.3%, Multiracial American: 2.2%, Asian American: 2.2%, and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander: 1%.

2010: ACS Data

Based on American Community Survey 2010–2014 data, North Carolina's median household income was $46,693.

2010: Primary languages spoken at home

In 2010, 89.66% of North Carolina residents age five and older spoke English at home as a primary language.

2010: Forbes Magazine ranking

In 2010, North Carolina was chosen as the third-best state for business by Forbes Magazine.

2010: Gross state product

In 2010, North Carolina's total gross state product was $424.9 billion.

2010: Largest Christian denomination

In 2010, the Southern Baptist Convention was the single largest Christian denomination, with 4,241 churches and 1,513,000 members.

2010: Republican Majority

The 2010 midterms saw Tarheel voters elect a bicameral Republican majority legislature for the first time in more than a century.

April 2011: Worst tornado outbreak in NC history

In April 2011, the worst tornado outbreak in North Carolina's history occurred, with thirty confirmed tornadoes touching down, killing at least 24 people.

2011: Civilian labor force

In 2011, the civilian labor force in North Carolina was around 4.5 million with employment near 4.1 million.

November 2012: State Debt

In November 2012, North Carolina's state debt was reported as either $2.4 billion or $57.8 billion, depending on the source.

2012: Birthplaces of North Carolina residents in 2012

Based on numbers in 2012, 58.5% of people residing in North Carolina were born there.

2012: Republican Gains in State Elections

In 2012, North Carolina elected a Republican governor (Pat McCrory) and lieutenant governor (Dan Forest) for the first time in over two decades. Republicans also gained veto-proof majorities in both the State House of Representatives and the State Senate. Several U.S. House seats flipped, resulting in Republicans holding nine seats to the Democrats' four.

2012: Republican victory

In 2012, Republican Mitt Romney ultimately eked out a two-point win in North Carolina, the only 2012 swing state Obama lost.

2012: ACT Requirement

In 2012, state law changed requiring 11th grade students in North Carolina to take the ACT.

2013: Durham–Chapel Hill named "Tastiest City"

In 2013, Southern Living named Durham–Chapel Hill the South's "Tastiest City".

2013: Park Visitation

In 2013, The scenic Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are the two most visited national park and unit in the United States with more than 25 million visitors.

2013: Forbes article on employment gains

In 2013, a Forbes article noted that North Carolina had gained employment in various industry sectors.

2013: Safety mechanisms failure revealed

In 2013, it was revealed that three safety mechanisms on one bomb dropped in 1961 had failed, leaving just one low-voltage switch preventing detonation.

2014: Pew Research Center's study

As of the Pew Research Center's 2014 study, other prominent Protestant groups in North Carolina were non/interdenominational Protestants and Pentecostalism.

2014: ACS Data

Based on American Community Survey 2010–2014 data, North Carolina's median household income was $46,693.

2014: Republican Gains in Congressional Elections

In the 2014 midterm elections, Republican David Rouzer won North Carolina's 7th congressional district seat, increasing the Republican advantage in the congressional delegation to 10–3.

2015: Federal Courts Order Redistricting

In 2015, federal courts ordered redistricting in North Carolina following lawsuits challenging the state's congressional district map. These lawsuits, led by voters, the state Democratic Party, the League of Women Voters, and Common Cause, argued that redistricting deliberately under-represented a portion of voters.

2016: Gubernatorial Election and HB2 Controversy

In 2016, despite Donald Trump winning North Carolina, Democrat Roy Cooper was elected as governor, partly due to the unpopular HB2 law passed by the previous governor.

2016: Trump victory

Republican Donald Trump carried the state in 2016, 2020, and 2024.

2017: Life Expectancy Range

Using 2017-2019 data, life expectancy for North Carolina counties ranged from 71.4 years for Swain County to 82.3 years for Orange County.

2018: Top countries of origin for immigrants

As of 2018, the top countries of origin for North Carolina's immigrants were Mexico, India, Honduras, China and El Salvador.

2018: Charlotte Tourism

In 2018, Charlotte attracted 28.3 million visitors, making it the most-visited city in North Carolina.

2018: Gross State Product

North Carolina's 2018 total gross state product was $496 billion.

March 2019: Redistricting Case Reaches Supreme Court

In March 2019, the redistricting case from North Carolina reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which also heard a related partisan gerrymandering case from Maryland.

September 2019: Hurricane Dorian

In September 2019, Hurricane Dorian hit North Carolina.

2019: Primary languages spoken at home

In 2019, 87.7% of the population aged 5 and older in North Carolina spoke English.

2019: SAT Testing Rate

In 2019, the SAT testing rate in North Carolina fell to 46%.

2019: Life Expectancy Range

Using 2017-2019 data, life expectancy for North Carolina counties ranged from 71.4 years for Swain County to 82.3 years for Orange County.

January 1, 2020: Newspapers in Publication

As of January 1, 2020, there were approximately 240 newspapers in publication in the state of North Carolina.

2020: Wake County becomes most populous

After the 2020 census, Wake County became the most populous county in North Carolina.

2020: North Carolina Gains Congressional Seat

As a result of the 2020 census, North Carolina gained another seat in the 118th United States Congress, bringing the total to 14.

2020: Racial composition at 2020 census

In 2020, North Carolina experienced a decline in its non-Hispanic white population. Non-Hispanic whites were 62.2%, Blacks or African Americans 20.5%, American Indian and Alaska Natives 1.2%, Asians 3.3%, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islanders 0.1%, people from other race 5.9%, and multiracial Americans 6.8%.

2020: Raleigh ranked third best city for technology

In 2020, Raleigh was ranked as the third best city for technology due to the state's growing technology sector.

2020: Gubernatorial Re-election and Congressional Split

In 2020, Roy Cooper won re-election as governor of North Carolina, even though Donald Trump narrowly won the state again. The congressional delegation split narrowed to 8–5 in favor of the GOP.

2020: Largest Christian denomination

In 2020, the Southern Baptists remained the largest with 1,324,747 adherents, though Methodists and others were collectively overtaken by non/interdenominational Protestants numbering 1,053,564.

2020: Voting Accessibility Ranking

In a 2020 study, North Carolina was ranked as the 23rd easiest state for citizens to vote in.

2020: Trump victory

Republican Donald Trump carried the state in 2016, 2020, and 2024.

2021: US Life Expectancy

The Foundation estimated that life expectancy for the United States as a whole in 2021 was 79.2 years.

February 4, 2022: NC Supreme Court Strikes Down District Maps

On February 4, 2022, the North Carolina Supreme Court struck down the congressional and state legislative district maps drawn by the GOP-controlled General Assembly, citing partisan gerrymandering in a 4–3 ruling.

July 2022: Airport Rankings

In July 2022, Charlotte Douglas International Airport ranked as the 11th busiest airport in the United States, and Raleigh-Durham International Airport ranked as the 37th busiest.

2022: Homeless population estimate

According to HUD's 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, there were an estimated 9,382 homeless people in North Carolina.

2022: Judicial Elections

Following the 2022 judicial elections, Republicans gained a majority in the North Carolina Supreme Court.

April 28, 2023: NC Supreme Court Overturns Redistricting Ruling

On April 28, 2023, the North Carolina Supreme Court, with a new Republican majority, overturned its previous ruling in a 5–2 decision, clearing the way for gerrymandering in the next redistricting cycle.

October 25, 2023: New District Maps Approved

On October 25, 2023, new district maps were approved by the General Assembly in North Carolina. These maps heavily favor the GOP and have been met with allegations of racial bias.

November 2023: Lawsuit Filed Against NC Senate District Map

In November 2023, a lawsuit was filed against the North Carolina Senate district map—specifically the 1st and 2nd Senate districts—in the Eastern District of North Carolina, arguing the map violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

December 2023: Additional Lawsuits Filed Challenging District Maps

In December 2023, two additional lawsuits were filed in the Middle District of North Carolina, challenging various congressional districts and alleging racial gerrymandering in multiple maps.

2023: Major Combined Statistical Areas

As of 2023, North Carolina has four major combined statistical areas (CSA) with a population over 1 million.

2023: Research Triangle population

In 2023, the Research Triangle had an estimated population of 2,368,947.

2023: Municipality Population Estimates

The U.S. Census Bureau released the 2023 population estimates for municipalities in North Carolina in 2024.

January 26, 2024: Preliminary Injunction Denied

On January 26, 2024, a preliminary injunction to block the current North Carolina Senate district map was denied, citing the Purcell principle in the lawsuit currently in the Eastern District of North Carolina.

March 2024: Consolidation of Lawsuits

In March 2024, two lawsuits filed in December 2023 challenging North Carolina district maps were consolidated together.

March 28, 2024: Appeals Court Upholds Decision

On March 28, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit upheld the lower court's decision to deny a preliminary injunction against the North Carolina Senate district map. The lawsuit will continue in the district court, but no ruling will be made until after the 2024 elections.

2024: Congressional Representation After 2024 Elections

After the 2024 elections, North Carolina was represented by 10 Republicans and 4 Democrats in Congress.

2024: Graduation rate

In 2024, North Carolina's high school graduation rate was 87%, though just 36% of students met the state's benchmarks for "college and career readiness."