1. North Carolina Poisoned: On January 2, 1953, residents of Oakdale, North Carolina, awoke to find that the town's water supply had been poisoned with para-chloro-meta-cresol, a toxic chemical used in disinfectants. Over 100 people were sickened, and five died as a result of the incident. The perpetrator was never caught, and the case remains a mystery to this day.

2. First Female Sheriff: On January 2, 1935, North Carolina made history by electing its first-ever female sheriff. Blanche Taylor Moore was appointed as Sheriff of Alexander County and went on to serve for several terms. She was a trailblazer for women in law enforcement and paved the way for future generations of female officers.

3. First Woman Governor: On January 2, 2009, Beverly Perdue was sworn in as the first female governor of North Carolina. Perdue served as governor until 2013 and is remembered for her commitment to education reform and environmental conservation.

4. Birth of a Music Legend: On January 2, 1926, Earl Scruggs was born in Flint Hill, North Carolina. Scruggs went on to become one of the most influential musicians in the history of bluegrass music, developing a unique style of banjo playing known as the "Scruggs style." He passed away in 2012, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the world of music.

5. Record-Breaking Snowfall: On January 2, 2000, a major snowstorm hit North Carolina, dumping over two feet of snow in some areas. The storm set a new record for the highest snowfall total in North Carolina history. Despite the blizzard conditions, the state was able to handle the storm relatively well, thanks to advance planning and coordination between emergency services and transportation officials.