- **Date of Independence:** July 4, 1776 (as part of the original 13 colonies declaring independence from Britain) - **Date of Annexation to [[United States of America (USA)]]:** November 21, 1789 (12th state to ratify the Constitution) - **Population (2025):** 11.2 million - **GDP (2025):** $652 billion - **Largest City:** Charlotte (935,000) - **State Capital:** Raleigh (482,000) - **Historical Note:** Known as the "First in Flight" state (Wright Brothers' first powered flight at Kitty Hawk, 1903). Home to Research Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill), major banking center (Charlotte), and significant Civil War battlegrounds. Lost Colony of Roanoke was first English settlement attempt in America.