In 1980s North Carolina, immigrants from Asia and around the world find refuge from war, freedom from persecution, and fresh opportunities. In return, they weave new strands of art and culture into the tapestry of our state.
decades series
The 1980s: Pioneers of the Piedmont
When two scientists from Research Triangle Park win a Nobel Prize, their victory represents the fulfillment of the park’s original mission: to make world-class science part of North Carolina’s DNA.
The 1980s: Michael Jordan Changes the Game
Before he was the greatest of all time, Michael Jordan was an athletic kid from Wilmington. In 1981, he heads to Chapel Hill to hone the skills and competitive spirit that launch him to superstardom.
The 1970s: A Seat on the Bench
From her roots in Reidsville, Susie Sharp blazes a trail to the North Carolina Supreme Court, becoming the first female chief justice in state history.
The 1970s: The Modern Pioneers
For environmentalists and “Back to the Land” homesteaders seeking a new way of life, a magazine published in Hendersonville guides that way.
The Courage to Fly
On September 11, 1974, Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 went down near Charlotte, becoming one of the worst plane crashes in state history. Colette Watson, then a 26-year-old flight attendant, told writer Philip Gerard her account of the accident and its aftermath.
An Our State Playlist: Cat’s Cradle Through the Decades
Our curated Spotify playlist features a selection of North Carolina bands and artists who have performed at this iconic Orange County music venue since the 1970s. Ready to rock?
The 1970s: Lifting Native Voices
A new commission of Indian affairs ensures representation for North Carolina’s indigenous population. In politics, journalism, the arts, and more, the state’s original residents make strides and speak out.
The 1950s: The Squire of Haw River
How a dairy farmer from Alamance County ascended the political ladder to become governor, then senator — never forgetting his rural roots along the way.
