1. On May 20, 1775, the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence was allegedly signed in Charlotte, NC. This document declared the state's independence from Great Britain more than a year before the national Declaration of Independence was signed.
2. The first recorded ascent of Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River, took place on May 20, 1835. Elisha Mitchell, a professor at the University of North Carolina, made the climb and later named the mountain in honor of himself.
3. A deadly EF4 tornado struck the town of Jarrell, NC on May 20, 1997. The tornado killed 27 people and destroyed much of the town, leading to increased awareness of tornado safety and preparation in the state.
4. On May 20, 1896, the Supreme Court of North Carolina ruled in the landmark case State v. Mann that slavery was legal and that slaveholders had complete control over their slaves. The ruling was controversial and eventually became obsolete with the abolition of slavery.
5. The USS North Carolina, a battleship that served in World War II, was commissioned on May 20, 1941. The ship is now a museum in Wilmington, NC and attracts thousands of visitors each year.
5 Fun Facts About May 20 In North Carolina History
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