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Bill Leslie's Carolina Conversations

"People are always asking me where to take vacation. What’s a cool place? What’s the most scenic drive?" WRAL News Anchor Bill Leslie attempts to answer those questions and others in his Carolina Conversations blog.

NC's Top Ten

Posted: March 9, 2011

I’m thoroughly enjoying another CD lecture series from The Teaching Company. The professor is one of my all-time favorites – J. Rufus Fears of the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Fears is a compelling storyteller who makes learning fun. The latest lectures are on 36 events that changed world history. I’ve already learned new things about Julius Caesar, the Bubonic Plague, Constantine and Christopher Columbus.

The series got me to thinking about the major events in North Carolina history. Professor William Powell of UNC has written a series of history books on North Carolina. He takes us back to colonial times and on through the Civil War era and a time when we were known as the Rip Van Winkle State because of a sleepy apathy among our leaders.

Help me put together a top ten list of the most significant events in North Carolina history. Also, who are the greatest figures in North Carolina history and why? What are our best stories? I would love to get your input.

15 Comments

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In recent "techno" history, credit Jim Goodmon and WRAL-TV for launching HD Television in the United States!!!!!!!!!!!!

blytle
March 9, 2011 2:40 p.m.

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The discovery of the flue cured process for tobacco in the rural community of Blanch in Caswell County. Economy thrived on the tobacco industry for years.

dawnsuitt
March 9, 2011 2:18 p.m.

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I definitely think the "first flight" by the Wright brothers should be No. 1. Somewhere in the list should be Johnston's surrender to Sherman at Bennett's Place in Durham.

mcatfan
March 9, 2011 1:16 p.m.

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The Greensboro sit-in...top five? The Lost Colony?

Gerbil Herder
March 9, 2011 12:54 p.m.

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Just a few off the top of my head.

Events: Lost Colony. Battle at King's Mountain. The first state university to open its doors. First powered flight.

I'll have to go peruse my copy of Bill Powell's NC Encyclopedia :-)