November 28, 1814 | Johnston Blakely was promoted to captain for his naval conquests during the War of 1812. According to the North Carolina History Project, “Blakely never enjoyed the fame that he for so long desired.” His fame was posthumous. 

November 29, 1942 | The USS James Iredell was launched. It was named after one of the first U.S. Supreme Court justices, James Iredell. The Liberty Ships, 440-foot cargo boats, provided much-needed support for warships. 

November 30, 1956 | Cleveland County native, Floyd Patterson, defeated Archie Moore. He became the youngest undisputed heavyweight boxing champion up to that time. 

December 1, 1566 | Leaving what is now South Carolina, Juan Pardo and 125 men soon arrived at Joara. Approximately twelve miles from modern-day Morganton, Pardo’s men built Fort San Juan. Eventually, American Indians drove out the Spanish from the region. 

December 2, 1924 | In Spencer, the Bob Julian Roundhouse opened. (Spencer is located in Rowan County.) With thirty-seven work bays, the new roundhouse was twice as large as the previous one. It provided service and repairs for the Southern Railway.