A few basic facts about North Carolina. Became 12th state November 21, 1789. Secession was on May 20, 1861 and readmitted on June 25, 1868. The nickname is The Tar Heel State and the capital is Raleigh. The five largest cities are Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, and Winston-Salem.
State BIRD:Cardinal FLOWER:Dogwood GEMSTONE:Emerald INSECT:Honeybee MINERAL:Granite MOTTO:(#1)To be, rather than to seem. (#2)First in Flight SONG:The Old North State TREE:Pine
A few famous people with North Carolina ties; John Coltrane, Charlie Daniels, Elizabeth Dole, Billy Graham, Andy Griffith, former President Andrew Johnson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Dolley Madison, Thelonious Monk, Edward R. Murrow, Richard Petty, former President James K. Polk, Thomas Wolfe.
