On May 22, 1926, President Calvin Coolidge signed the bill that established the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
On May 21, 1940, the Hiwassee Dam in Cherokee County generated power for the first time. The dam was built by the Tennessee Valley Authority and was one of the largest construction projects in the state at that time.
On May 21, 1957, the General Assembly adopted an official state toast.
On May 21, 2007, the state of North Carolina purchased Chimney Rock Park in western Rutherford County from the Morse family, which had owned and operated the tourist attraction for more than a century.
On May 19, 2008, Walter Royal Davis of Midland, Texas; Manteo; and Chapel Hill, died.
On May 19, 1955, Hank Snow’s All Star Jamboree tour, featuring a new young talent named Elvis Presley, ended at Memorial Auditorium in Raleigh. It marked the beginning of the end of the touring relationship between the headliner, Faron Young, and featured player Presley.