Topics Related to This Day in North Carolina History

Freedom Fighter Abraham Galloway of Southport and Wilmington

On September 1, 1870, African-American activist Abraham Galloway died in Wilmington.

“Human Spider” Inspired Classic Harold Lloyd Film

On September 1, 1896, Bill Strother, who became nationally acclaimed as the "Human Spider", was born in Wayne County. 

Samuel A. Ashe, Confederate Soldier and Historian

On August 31, 1938, historian Samuel A. Ashe died.

Jesse Franklin, Governor from Surry County

Jess Franklin - Governor 1820 - 21; state & U.S. Senator and representative; officer in Revolution.

Dorton Arena Architect Matthew Nowicki

Charleston Earthquake Rattled North Carolina

On August 31, 1886, at 9:50 PM, the largest earthquake ever recorded on the east coast of the United States destroyed homes and other property in Charleston, S.C., leaving as many as 150 dead in that city alone. Registering between 6.6 and 7.3 on the modern Richter scale, the quake cracked chimneys and plaster walls across North Carolina.

Astronaut William Thornton and the Space Shuttle Challenger

On August 30, 1983, Faison native William Thornton barreled into space from Cape Canaveral, Florida aboard the shuttle Challenger.

Andre Michaux Climbed Grandfather Mountain

Famed journalist Charles Kural

A Reunion Without Precedent, at Somerset Place in 1986

On August 30, 1986, “Somerset Homecoming” took place at Somerset Place State Historic Site in Creswell.

Influential Black Newspaperman Robert Lee Vann

Influential Black Newspaperman Robert Lee Vann was born in Hertford County August 29, 1879. He became editor of the Pittsburgh Courier, the nation's largest weekly newspaper for African Americans. Vann used the editorial pages to advocate for various social and political reforms.