Topics Related to This Day in North Carolina History

Anvil or Hammer: President John F. Kennedy at Kenan Stadium, 1961

On October 12, 1961, President John F. Kennedy, ten months into his 1,000 days in office, spoke to a crowd of 30,000 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill.

World War I Medal of Honor Recipient Robert Blackwell

On October 11, 1918, Person County native Robert Lester Blackwell was killed when he attempted to deliver a message asking for help for his unit near St. Souflet, France.

U.N. Representative Herschel Johnson Advocated Partition of Palestine, 1947

On October 11, 1947, as the newly created United Nations debated the partition of Palestine and the creation of the state of Israel, North Carolinian Herschel Johnson was at the center of the deliberations.

African American Surfmen and Daring Rescue of the E. S. Newman

On October 11, 1896, the Pea Island Lifesavers, led by Richard Etheridge, rescued the survivors of the schooner E. S. Newman. The operation would prove to be the most dramatic in their many years of service to North Carolina’s Outer Banks.

R. D. W. Connor Appointed First Archivist of the United States

On October 10, 1934, Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed R. D. W. Connor as the first Archivist of the United States.

Jazz Giant Thelonious Monk of Rocky Mount

On October 10, 1917, Thelonious Monk was born in Rocky Mount. Though Monk lived most of his life in Manhattan, his North Carolina roots ran deep.

W. W. Kitchin, North Carolina-Style Progressive Politician

On October 9, 1866, Governor William Walton Kitchin was born near Scotland Neck.

Maritime Disaster Off Ocracoke in 1837

On October 9, 1837, the steamship Home ran into a powerful hurricane that became known as the “Racer’s Storm.” The ship was en route from New York to Charleston and was operating with a damaged boiler.

American Idol Winner Scotty McCreery Born in Garner

On October 9, 1993, American Idol winner Scotty McCreery was born in Garner. More than 25,000 fans attended Scotty’s homecoming visit at Lake Benson Park the weekend before the finals show in 2011. 

Millie McKoy, One of the Conjoined Twins Known as Millie-Christine Died

On October 8, 1912, Millie McKoy, one of the conjoined twins known as Millie-Christine died. Christine, who could not be separated from her sister, died the following day.