As we near the last of the original 13 colonies, National North Carolina Day recognizes the 12th state to join the Union.

The Tar Heel state was the first state to vote for independence from the British at the first Continental Congress. Before the Civil War, North Carolina resisted secession from the Union. As a whole, the state was vehemently against dividing the nation even after other states had signed agreements to secede. Eventually, public opinion changed and the state was swayed to join the Confederacy.

Official North Carolina

• State Capital – Raleigh
• State Motto – Esse quality videvi
• State Nickname – The Tar Heel State
• State Song – The Old North State
• State Bird – Northern Cardinal
• State Fish – Southern Appalachian Brook Trout
• State Tree – Pine Tree
• State Animal – Gray Squirrel
• State Boat – Shad Boat
• State Insect – Honey Bee
• State Beverage – Milk
• State Fossil – Megalodon Shark Teeth
• State Mineral – Gold
• State Dog – Platt Hound

The state is filled with beauty from the Blue Ridge Mountains to Cape Fear and up to Kitty Hawk. Along with the beauty, you will find mystery buried in history and nature. Explore the sites of the first powered flight, the disappearance of the Roanoke colonists and with them the first English child born in the New World.

North Carolina is also home to the 82nd Airborne, blue fireflies, and the lavish Biltmore Estate. Studios find the state ideal for filming on location, so don’t be surprised if you recognize places from TV shows or films you have seen.  And don’t forget, both the Carolinas are home to NASCAR.

Arts and History

Hanging Rock State Park – Danbury

Raven Rock State Park – Lillington

Merchants Millpond State Park – Gatesville

Fort Macon State Park – Atlantic Beach

Dismal Swamp State Park – South Mills

Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Resource – Hillsborough

Cape Hatteras National Seashore – Greensboro – Nags Head

Guilford Courthouse National Military Park – Greensboro

Moores Creek National Battlefield – Currie

Blue Ridge National Heritage Area – Asheville

Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Bryson City

HISTORY and ART

North Carolina Museum of History – Raleigh

City of Raleigh Museum – Raleigh

Airborne & Special Operations Museum – Fayetteville

82 Airborn Division War Memorial Museum – Ft. Bragg

Mountain Gateway Museum & Heritage Center – Old Fort

Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art – Winston-Salem

Levine Museum of the New South – Charlotte

Carolina Aviation Museum – Charlotte

Wright Brothers National Museum – Kill Devil Hills

Folk Art Center – Asheville

Cape Fear Museum – Wilmington

Museum of the Cherokee Indian – Cherokee

Greensboro Historical Museum – Greensboro

---

Hidden Treasures

Cloud Chamber – Raleigh

Whirligig Park – Wilson

Blue Ghost Fireflies – Asheville

Judaculla Rock – Jackson County

Mayberry RFD – Mount Airy

---

Notable People

---

Virginia Dare – First English Born in New World – (August 18, 1587 – Unknown)

---

James Polk – President – (November 2, 1795 – June 15, 1849)

---

---

Harriet Ann Jacobs – Author – (February 11, 1813 – March 7, 1813)

---

Andrew Johnson – President – (December 29, 1808 – July 31, 1875)

---

Charlotte Hawkins Brown – Author – ( June 11, 1883 – January 11, 1961)

---

Thomas Wolfe – Author – (October 3, 1900 – September 15, 1938)

---

Edward R Murrow – Broadcaster – (April 25, 1908 – April 27, 1965)

---

Richard Petty – Racecar Driver – (July 2, 1937 -)

---

Sugar Ray Leonard – Boxer – (May 17, 1956- )

---

North Carolina Flavor

• Egg and liver Mush
• Cheerwine
• BBQ Slaw & Hushpuppies
• Clam Chowder
• Fried Green Tomatoes
• Appalachian Kilt Lettuce
• Texas Pete and eggs
• Clam Juice
• Cheerwine Float
• Pepsi & Lance Peanuts Pie

States

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon,Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont,Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming,

HOW TO OBSERVE #NorthCarolinaDay

Join in as we celebrate North Carolina’s mysteries and history. Explore vistas and ocean views. There is an adventure in every corner! Use #NorthCarolinaDay to share on social media.