Topics Related to This Day in North Carolina History

James Iredell is Born

On October 5, 1751, James Iredell, was born.  Few men have had more influence on the modern American judicial system than lawyer, judge, and writer James Iredell.  Originally a representative of the Crown, he challenged the colonial court system and was i

East Carolina Set Up to Educate Teachers

On October 5, 1909, the East Carolina Teachers Training School opened its doors with the mission of providing young men and women the training they needed to be able to teach in the public schools of North Carolina. Today, East Carolina University is the third largest school in the UNC system.

Miss Black America 1986, Native of Graham

On October 4, 1986, Graham native Rachel Oliver-Cobbin became the first North Carolinian to be crowned Miss Black America.

Lemur Jovian, Star of “Zoboomafoo”

On October 4, 1997, Jovian, the lemur that many television watchers came to know as Zoboomafoo, was introduced to the custom made sound stage at the Duke Lemur Center.

Francis Nash Mortally Wounded at the Battle of Germantown

On October 4, 1777, Francis Nash, brigadier general of the North Carolina Continental Troops under General George Washington in the American Revolution, was mortally wounded by a cannon ball at the Battle of Germantown, near Philadelphia.

Benjamin Hedrick, Chapel Hill Heretic

On October 4, 1856, Benjamin Hedrick, a professor of chemistry at the University of North Carolina, published his “Defence” in the North Carolina Standard, a Raleigh newspaper. 

Premier of an American Classic, The Andy Griffith Show

On October 3, 1960, the first episode of The Andy Griffith Show aired on CBS Television. The program starred Mount Airy native Andy Griffith and focused on life in the fictional community of Mayberry, North Carolina, said to be have been modeled after Griffith’s hometown.

The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA Arrives in Wilmington

On October 2, 1961, The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA came to Wilmington.  The mighty ship opened to the public just a couple of weeks later.

Just Stepped Out, Robert Patton of Burke County

On October 2, 1866, 17-year-old Robert Logan Patton filled a pillow case with bread, sweet potatoes and his belongings and ran away from his Burke County home.

Harry Golden of the Carolina Israelite, One of a Kind