1. In 1861, North Carolina joined the Confederacy during the American Civil War. This decision was made on August 5, after President Lincoln's call for troops to put down the rebellion.

2. On August 5, 1924, the first woman was elected to the North Carolina General Assembly. Lillian Exum Clement of Buncombe County served two terms in the House of Representatives.

3. The first public school in North Carolina was established on August 5, 1840, in Ashe County. The school was called the Todd Academy and was named after the founder, Dr. John H. Todd.

4. The North Carolina Zoo officially opened on August 5, 1976. Located in Asheboro, the zoo is home to over 1,600 animals spread across 500 acres.

5. On August 5, 1985, Michael Jordan was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. Jordan is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time and played college basketball for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.