National North Carolina Day
September 28
About National North Carolina Day
National North Carolina Day takes place every year on 28 September, honouring the history, culture, and natural beauty of the Tar Heel State. The day forms part of National Day Calendar’s National State Days project, which celebrates each of the fifty states in the order they joined the Union. North Carolina was the twelfth state to ratify the United States Constitution, which is why its day falls in the twelfth slot of the series.
The Story Behind National North Carolina Day
National North Carolina Day owes its place on the calendar to a wider initiative launched by National Day Calendar in 2017. To mark the run-up to the 250th anniversary of American independence, the organisation set out to celebrate every state on its own day, recognising each one in the sequence in which it entered the Union. The series began on Independence Day 2017 with Delaware, the first state, and works its way through to Hawaii, the fiftieth. North Carolina, having ratified the Constitution twelfth, was assigned 28 September.
The state being honoured carries one of the longer and more independent-minded histories of the original thirteen colonies. North Carolina was famously the last of the original states to ratify the Constitution, holding out for a guarantee of individual liberties. Its first ratification convention at Hillsborough in 1788 declined to approve the document. North Carolina was the only state to hold two ratification conventions. Only once assurances were given that a Bill of Rights would be added did delegates reconvene in Fayetteville, where on 21 November 1789 they voted 195 to 77 to join the new nation.
That streak of independence helped earn North Carolina several of its nicknames, including the Old North State and the Tar Heel State. The latter is thought to date from the era when the state was a leading producer of naval stores such as tar, pitch, and turpentine drawn from its vast longleaf pine forests. Over the centuries the state has grown from a colonial backwater into a place of remarkable contrasts, stretching from the Atlantic barrier islands in the east to the highest peaks of the Appalachian range in the west.
When and Where is National North Carolina Day Celebrated?
National North Carolina Day falls on Monday, 28 September 2026. It is observed on the same fixed date every year, so there is no need to check a shifting calendar. While the day is rooted in the United States and resonates most with North Carolinians at home and abroad, anyone with an interest in the state’s history, food, music, or scenery is welcome to take part. Celebrations are informal rather than official, often shared online and in local communities rather than through public holidays or closures.
Traditions and Customs
Because the day is a relatively young addition to the calendar, its customs are still taking shape. Even so, several themes come up again and again wherever it is marked.
- Celebrating Tar Heel barbecue – North Carolina is fiercely proud of its slow-cooked, vinegar-based pork barbecue, and the day is a natural excuse to fire up a smoker or visit a beloved local pit.
- Honouring first flight – Many people use the occasion to remember that powered, controlled flight began at Kitty Hawk on the state’s Outer Banks in 1903.
- Sharing state symbols – The flowering dogwood, the northern cardinal, and the longleaf pine often feature in posts, classroom activities, and decorations.
- Playing bluegrass and old-time music – The mountains of western North Carolina are a cradle of bluegrass and folk, and playlists and live sessions are a popular way to mark the day.
- Spotlighting the great outdoors – From the Blue Ridge Parkway to the beaches of the Outer Banks, residents share photographs of the landscapes that define the state.
Ways to Celebrate National North Carolina Day
There are plenty of simple ways to take part, whether you live in the state or admire it from a distance.
- Cook a North Carolina classic – Try your hand at eastern or Lexington-style pulled pork, or bake a sweet potato pie using the state’s signature vegetable.
- Plan a scenic drive – The Blue Ridge Parkway winds through the western mountains and is regularly named one of the most beautiful drives in the country.
- Visit a museum or memorial – The Wright Brothers National Memorial at Kill Devil Hills tells the story of the first flight in vivid detail.
- Support a local business – Buy from North Carolina makers, breweries, potters, or farmers, many of whom carry on long craft traditions.
- Brush up on state history – Read about the two ratification conventions and why North Carolinians held out for a Bill of Rights.
- Share the love online – Post your favourite photographs, recipes, or memories of the state and tag friends who call it home.
Facts and Figures
- North Carolina became the twelfth state to ratify the United States Constitution on 21 November 1789.
- It was the only state to hold two ratification conventions, having rejected the Constitution at its first attempt in 1788.
- On 17 December 1903 at Kitty Hawk, Orville and Wilbur Wright achieved the first powered, controlled flight, lasting just 12 seconds and covering around 120 feet.
- The state flower is the flowering dogwood, adopted in 1941, and the state bird is the northern cardinal, adopted in 1943.
- The Charlotte area is a hub of NASCAR, home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the base for a large share of the sport’s drivers and teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National North Carolina Day?
National North Carolina Day is an annual celebration of the state’s history, culture, and landscapes. It is part of National Day Calendar’s State Days series, which honours each state in the order it joined the Union.
When is National North Carolina Day in 2026?
It takes place on Monday, 28 September 2026, and on the same date every year.
Why is North Carolina celebrated on 28 September?
The State Days series recognises states in the order they ratified the Constitution. North Carolina was the twelfth state, so it occupies the twelfth date in the sequence, which falls on 28 September.
Spread the Word
Share National North Carolina Day with your community using #NationalNorthCarolinaDay and #NationalNorthCarolinaDay2026. Whether you mark the occasion with a plate of barbecue, a mountain drive, or a story about the Old North State, every bit of awareness helps keep this celebration of Tar Heel heritage alive.
Related Awareness Days
- Wright Brothers Day – Marks the first powered flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on 17 December 1903.
- National Whole Hog Barbecue Day – Celebrates the slow-cooked pork tradition at the heart of North Carolina cuisine.
- National Boone Day – Honours frontiersman Daniel Boone, who spent his early years in North Carolina.
Links
- Visit the official National North Carolina Day page
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
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