History of North Carolina in Timeline
North Carolina, located in the Southeastern United States, is the nation's 28th largest and 9th most populous state with a population exceeding 10 million. Bordered by Virginia, the Atlantic Ocean, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee, it forms the Carolinas region with South Carolina. Raleigh serves as the state capital, while Charlotte holds the title of the most populous city and boasts the nation's second-largest banking center. The Charlotte metropolitan area ranks as the 22nd most populous nationwide. Additionally, North Carolina is home to the Research Triangle, the country's largest research park and the 31st most populous metropolitan region in the US.
December 17, 1903: First Successful Airplane Flight
On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright made history by successfully piloting the world's first controlled, sustained flight of a powered, heavier-than-air aircraft at Kitty Hawk in North Carolina's Outer Banks.
1914: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
By 1914, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, founded in 1874 in Winston-Salem, was selling 425 million packs of cigarettes a year.
1926: Mount Olive Pickle Company Founded
The Mount Olive Pickle Company was established in Mount Olive in 1926.
1954: Hurricane Hazel
Hurricane Hazel, the strongest storm to ever hit North Carolina, made landfall in 1954 as a Category 4 hurricane.
1959: Establishment of Research Triangle Park
Research Triangle Park, the largest research park in the United States, was established in 1959. Located near Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, it became a hub for universities and advanced scientific and technical research.
1960: Greensboro Sit-ins
The Greensboro sit-ins of 1960, a series of nonviolent protests against racial segregation at a Woolworth's lunch counter, played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement.
1964: Civil Rights Act
The federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed, aiming to end segregation and discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. This legislation was a landmark achievement in the Civil Rights Movement.
1965: Voting Rights Act
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed, aiming to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote as guaranteed under the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
1965: Voting Rights Act Enacted
The Voting Rights Act, a landmark piece of federal legislation aimed at protecting the voting rights of racial minorities, was passed in 1965.
1968: "Carolina in My Mind" Release
James Taylor, who grew up near Chapel Hill, released his song "Carolina in My Mind" in 1968, which became an unofficial anthem for North Carolina.
1973: Golden Corral Founded
The Golden Corral restaurant chain was founded in Fayetteville in 1973, with headquarters in Raleigh.
1974: NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four in Greensboro
Greensboro, North Carolina, hosted the NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four in 1974.
1976: Jimmy Carter's Victory in North Carolina
Democrat Jimmy Carter secured a decisive win in North Carolina's presidential election in 1976.
1980: Life Expectancy in North Carolina
Between 1980 and 2014, male life expectancy in North Carolina increased by an average of 6.9 years, while female life expectancy increased by 3.2 years.
1986: Archaeological Confirmation of Fort San Juan
In 1986, archaeological findings at Joara, North Carolina, confirmed the existence of Fort San Juan, a 16th-century Spanish fort. This discovery, along with a journal by Pardo's scribe Bandera, provided evidence of the first European attempt at colonization in the interior of what became the United States.
1988: Charlotte Hornets Founded
In 1988, North Carolina gained its first professional sports franchise, the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
1989: Cook Out Founded
Cook Out, a fast-food chain, was established in Greensboro in 1989 and later expanded beyond North Carolina.
1990: Start of Hispanic Population Growth
North Carolina's Hispanic population began to grow rapidly in 1990.
1992: Bill Clinton's Close Contest
Democrat Bill Clinton narrowly lost North Carolina in the 1992 presidential election, coming within a single percentage point of victory.
1992: Election of First African American Representative Since Disenfranchisement
In 1992, North Carolina elected its first African American U.S. Representative since the disenfranchisement caused by the state's 1899 constitution.
1994: NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four in Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina, hosted the NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four in 1994.
1995: Carolina Panthers Founded
The Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL) were founded in 1995, making Charlotte their home.
1996: Bill Clinton's Second Narrow Defeat
Democrat Bill Clinton faced another close loss in North Carolina during the 1996 presidential election.
1996: SAT Scores in North Carolina
In 1996, North Carolina ranked 48th nationally in SAT scores.
1996: Discovery of Queen Anne's Revenge
In 1996, the remains of a vessel believed to be the Queen Anne's Revenge, the flagship of the pirate Blackbeard, were discovered at Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina. The discovery was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
1997: Carolina Hurricanes Move to Raleigh
The Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL) relocated to Raleigh in 1997.
2000: Economic Disparity
Since 2000, North Carolina's urban areas experienced economic prosperity, while rural counties faced job losses, poverty, and population decline due to a shrinking manufacturing base.
2000: Ruling on Racial Gerrymandering
In 2000, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina ruled that the state's 12th congressional district was the result of illegal racial gerrymandering, aiming to diminish the voting power of minority groups.
2000: George W. Bush's Decisive Win
Republican George W. Bush achieved a significant victory in North Carolina's 2000 presidential election, winning by a margin of over 13 points.
2000: Hispanic Population Doubles
By 2000, North Carolina's Hispanic population had more than doubled in size since 1990, with many new residents coming from Mexico to work in agriculture, manufacturing, or on military installations.
2001: STEM Industry Growth
Since 2001, STEM industries in the Raleigh area experienced significant growth, increasing by 17.9%.
2001: Supreme Court Reversal on Gerrymandering
The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the lower court's ruling in 2001, stating that North Carolina's 12th congressional district boundaries were not racially motivated but rather a form of partisan gerrymandering, a political matter the court deemed outside its jurisdiction.
2002: Agricultural Production (2002-2012)
According to USDA surveys from 2002, 2007, and 2012, North Carolina ranked first in the production of flue-cured tobacco and sweet potatoes, second in pigs and hogs, trout, turkeys, and Christmas trees.
2004: SAT Participation Rate
In 2004, 76% of North Carolina high school students took the SAT.
2006: The Charlotte Observer Acquisition
In 2006, The Charlotte Observer, the second-largest circulating newspaper in North Carolina, was acquired by The News and Observer company.
2006: Carolina Hurricanes Win Stanley Cup
The Carolina Hurricanes, a major professional hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, won the prestigious Stanley Cup championship in 2006.
2007: Agricultural Production (2002-2012)
According to USDA surveys from 2002, 2007, and 2012, North Carolina ranked first in the production of flue-cured tobacco and sweet potatoes, second in pigs and hogs, trout, turkeys, and Christmas trees.
May 3, 2008: USS North Carolina
On May 3, 2008, a nuclear attack submarine named USS North Carolina was commissioned in Wilmington.
2008: Barack Obama's Narrow Victory
Democrat Barack Obama narrowly won North Carolina in the 2008 presidential election, marking a departure from the state's Republican leanings in previous presidential races.
2009: North Carolina State Board of Education
In 2009, the chairman of the North Carolina State Board of Education also became the "chief executive officer" for the state's school system.
January 15, 2010: L'institut International aux Arts Gastronomiques: Conquerront Les Yanks les Truffes
On January 15, 2010, Garland Truffles became an international hub for truffles.
2010: Gross State Product
North Carolina's total gross state product was $424.9 billion in 2010.
2010: 2010 Census
The 2010 Census revealed North Carolina's racial composition, including White (68.5%), Black or African American (21.5%), Hispanic or Latino (8.4%), Asian American (2.2%), and others.
2010: Business Rankings and Economic Divide
Forbes Magazine ranked North Carolina as the third-best state for business in 2010. However, an economic divide emerged between urban and rural areas.
2010: Religious Demographics
In 2010, the Southern Baptist Convention was the largest Christian denomination in North Carolina, followed by the United Methodist Church and the Roman Catholic Church.
2010: Languages Spoken in North Carolina
In 2010, a majority of North Carolina residents (89.66%) spoke English at home, while Spanish was the most common non-English language (6.93%).
2010: Republican Control in North Carolina
In 2010, North Carolina voters elected a Republican majority in both the state House of Representatives and the Senate for the first time in over a century, signifying a shift in the state's political landscape.
2010: Median Household Income (2010-2014)
Based on data from 2010 to 2014, North Carolina's median household income was $46,693.
April 2011: Worst Tornado Outbreak in North Carolina History
The worst tornado outbreak in North Carolina's history took place in April 2011, resulting in 30 confirmed tornadoes and at least 24 fatalities, primarily in the Eastern Piedmont and Sandhills regions.
2011: Civilian Labor Force
The civilian labor force in North Carolina was approximately 4.5 million in 2011, with employment nearing 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: North Carolina: A Competitive Swing State
The 2012 presidential election saw North Carolina emerge as a closely contested swing state, ultimately won by Republican Mitt Romney.
2012: Change in State Law for University Entrance Exams
In 2012, North Carolina state law changed to require 11th-grade students to take the ACT.
2012: Residency Statistics
In 2012, statistics showed that 58.5% of North Carolina residents were born in the state, 33.1% were born in other US states, 1% were born in US territories or to American parents abroad, and 7.4% were foreign-born.
2012: Agricultural Production (2002-2012)
According to USDA surveys from 2002, 2007, and 2012, North Carolina ranked first in the production of flue-cured tobacco and sweet potatoes, second in pigs and hogs, trout, turkeys, and Christmas trees.
2013: Industry Growth
A 2013 Forbes article highlighted the growth of various industry sectors in North Carolina, particularly in STEM fields.
2013: Nuclear Bomb Safety Mechanisms
In 2013, it was revealed that three safety mechanisms on one of the bombs from the 1961 B-52G crash had failed, with only one switch preventing detonation.
2013: Tourism in the Appalachian Mountains
In 2013, the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, were the two most visited national park and unit in the United States, with over 25 million visitors.
2013: Durham-Chapel Hill: "Tastiest City"
Southern Living magazine recognized Durham-Chapel Hill as the South's "Tastiest City" in 2013.
2014: Religious Diversity
A 2014 Pew Research Center study highlighted the presence of various Protestant groups in North Carolina, including Methodists, non/interdenominational Protestants, and Pentecostals.
2014: Life Expectancy in North Carolina
In 2014, males in North Carolina lived an average of 75.4 years, while females lived an average of 80.2 years, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.
2014: Poverty Rate
North Carolina had a poverty rate of 17.6% in 2014, with 13% of families living below the poverty line.
2014: Republican Gains in Congressional Seats
The 2014 midterm elections resulted in Republican David Rouzer winning North Carolina's 7th congressional district seat, further solidifying the Republican majority in the state's congressional delegation.
2015: Redistricting Lawsuits Filed
Multiple lawsuits were filed in 2015 challenging North Carolina's congressional district map, alleging intentional under-representation of a significant portion of voters due to redistricting.
2016: Donald Trump's Victory in North Carolina
Republican Donald Trump won North Carolina in the 2016 presidential election.
2016: Republican Dominance in Congressional Elections
Republicans secured 10 out of 13 congressional seats in North Carolina during the 2016 elections, despite Democrats receiving 47% of the statewide vote.
2017: Life Expectancy in North Carolina Counties
Using data from 2017 to 2019, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation calculated that life expectancy in North Carolina counties ranged from 71.4 years in Swain County to 82.3 years in Orange County.
2018: Top Countries of Origin for Immigrants
As of 2018, the leading countries of origin for immigrants residing in North Carolina were Mexico, India, Honduras, China, and El Salvador.
2018: Tourism in Charlotte
In 2018, Charlotte, the most visited city in North Carolina, attracted 28.3 million visitors.
2018: Gross State Product
North Carolina's total gross state product reached $496 billion in 2018.
2018: Continued Republican Success in Congressional Elections
Republicans maintained their hold on congressional seats in the 2018 elections, winning nine seats with one undecided, despite Democrats garnering 48% of the overall vote.
March 2019: Supreme Court Hearing on Gerrymandering
In March 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court heard a case concerning North Carolina's congressional district map, addressing claims of partisan gerrymandering. A related case from Maryland was also heard.
September 2019: Hurricane Dorian
Hurricane Dorian, a powerful and devastating hurricane, hit North Carolina in September 2019, causing significant damage and flooding.
2019: SAT Testing Rate Decline
By 2019, the SAT testing rate in North Carolina had fallen to 46%.
2019: Languages Spoken in North Carolina
The 2019 American Community Survey reported that 87.7% of North Carolina residents aged 5 and older spoke English at home, while 12.3% spoke another language, with Spanish being the most prevalent.
2019: Life Expectancy in North Carolina Counties
Using data from 2017 to 2019, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation calculated that life expectancy in North Carolina counties ranged from 71.4 years in Swain County to 82.3 years in Orange County.
January 1, 2020: Number of Newspapers in North Carolina
As of January 1, 2020, there were approximately 240 newspapers in publication in North Carolina.
2020: Raleigh's Tech Hub Status
Raleigh was recognized as the third best city for technology in 2020 due to the state's expanding technology sector.
2020: 2020 US Census
The 2020 United States Census was conducted and reported that North Carolina's population was 10,439,388.
2020: 2020 Census
The 2020 Census showed a decline in North Carolina's non-Hispanic white population to 62.2%, while other groups saw increases, including Black or African American (20.5%), Asian (3.3%), and multiracial Americans (6.8%).
2020: 2020 US Census
Based on the 2020 United States Census, the population of North Carolina was determined to be 10,439,388.
2020: Wake County Becomes Most Populous
Following the 2020 census, Wake County became the most populous county in North Carolina with a population of 1,129,410, surpassing Mecklenburg County, which had a population of 1,115,482.
2020: Donald Trump's Second Victory
Donald Trump again secured victory in North Carolina during the 2020 presidential election.
2020: Religious Demographics
By 2020, the Southern Baptists remained the largest religious group in North Carolina, while non/interdenominational Protestants surpassed Methodists and others to become the second largest group.
2020: Voter Ease of Access Study
A 2020 study ranked North Carolina as the 23rd easiest state for citizens to exercise their right to vote.
2020: Congressional Seat Increase
Following the 2020 census, North Carolina gained an additional seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, bringing its total number of representatives to 14.
2021: Estimated Life Expectancy in the United States
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation estimated that life expectancy for the United States as a whole in 2021 was 79.2 years.
February 4, 2022: North Carolina Supreme Court Strikes Down Maps
The North Carolina Supreme Court, in a 4-3 decision, invalidated the congressional and state legislative district maps drawn by the Republican-controlled General Assembly on February 4, 2022, citing partisan gerrymandering.
July 2022: Airport Rankings
In July 2022, Charlotte Douglas International Airport was ranked the 11th busiest airport in the United States, while Raleigh-Durham International Airport was ranked the 37th busiest.
2022: HUD Releases Annual Homeless Assessment Report
In 2022, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released its Annual Homeless Assessment Report, estimating that there were 9,382 homeless individuals in North Carolina.
2022: Republican Flip in North Carolina Supreme Court
The 2022 elections resulted in a significant political shift in North Carolina, with the state Supreme Court transitioning to a Republican majority.
April 28, 2023: North Carolina Supreme Court Reversal
Following a shift in its political composition after the 2022 elections, the North Carolina Supreme Court, now with a Republican majority, reversed its previous ruling in a 5-2 decision on April 28, 2023, effectively allowing gerrymandering in future redistricting processes.
October 25, 2023: Approval of New Maps
On October 25, 2023, the General Assembly granted its approval to new congressional and state legislative district maps that heavily favor the Republican party, drawing criticism and allegations of racial bias.
November 2023: Lawsuit Against Senate District Map
A lawsuit targeting North Carolina's Senate district map, particularly the 1st and 2nd districts, was filed in November 2023 in the Eastern District of North Carolina. The lawsuit argued that the map violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
December 2023: Lawsuits Filed in Middle District
Two separate lawsuits were filed in December 2023 within the Middle District of North Carolina, both challenging aspects of the state's redistricting maps as racial gerrymandering.
2023: Four Major Combined Statistical Areas
As of 2023, North Carolina had four major combined statistical areas (CSAs) with populations exceeding one million.
2023: 2022 Population Estimates Released
The U.S. Census Bureau released population estimates for 2022, revealing that Charlotte remained the largest city in North Carolina, followed by Raleigh.
2023: Charlotte Metro Area Population Estimate
In 2023, the Charlotte metropolitan area's estimated population was 2,805,115, making it the most populous in North Carolina and the 22nd largest in the US. The Research Triangle metro area had an estimated population of 2,368,947, ranking it as the second-most populous in the state and 31st largest in the nation.
January 26, 2024: Preliminary Injunction Denied
On January 26, 2024, a request for a preliminary injunction to halt the implementation of North Carolina's existing Senate district map was denied by the court, citing the Purcell principle, which advises against court-ordered changes to election procedures close to an election.
March 2024: Consolidation of Lawsuits
In March 2024, the two lawsuits filed in the Middle District of North Carolina, which challenged different aspects of the state's redistricting maps as racial gerrymandering, were consolidated into a single case.
March 28, 2024: Fourth Circuit Upholds Decision
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, on March 28, 2024, upheld the lower court's decision to deny a preliminary injunction against North Carolina's Senate district map. Despite this, the lawsuit challenging the map will proceed in the district court, though a ruling is not expected until after the 2024 elections.
2024: New Maps for 2024 Elections
The General Assembly was tasked with redrawing the congressional and state legislative district maps for the 2024 elections in North Carolina.