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Athletes:
Michael Jordan- Even though he was born in Brooklyn, the man regarded by many as the greatest
basketball player of all time moved to Wilmington, North Carolina, at a very early age, and spent his childhood there. He
attended UNC-Chapel Hill, where his team won an NCAA tournament, and then was a part of two Olympic gold medal teams and 6
NBA championship teams with the Chicago Bulls
Dale Earnhardt Sr.- A native of Kannapolis, North Carolina,
Earnhardt became one of the most popular race car drivers in NASCAR history. Known to fans as "The Intimidator" for his aggressive
style, Earnhardt won seven Winston Cup Championships. He was killed in a crash on the last lap of the Daytona 500 race on
February 18, 2001.
Sugar Ray Leonard- He was a world famous boxer, born in Wilmington. He won an Olympic gold
medal and 5 world titles.
Richard Petty- North Carolina native gained fame as a NASCAR racing driver. Petty
won 7 championships and holds the record for most consecutive race wins: 10.
Entertainers/Artists:
Clay Aiken- his Raleigh native became a national singing sensation as he competed for top honors in the television
show "American Idol" in 2003. Aiken came in runner up in the competition, but he did win a recording contract and his single
"This is the Night" went platinum.
Fantasia Barrino- A High Point native came to fame when she won the television
show American Idol in 2004. After being crowned the American Idol, Fantasia's single I Believe won two Billboard Awards and
her album Free Yourselfwent platinum in 2005.
Andy Griffith- The actor from Mount Airy, North Carolina is
famous for his work on the long running television programs "The Andy Griffith Show" and "Matlock." Andy lives in
Manteo, North Carolina.
James Taylor- Born in Boston and raised in Chapel Hill, Taylor was arguably
the most famous singer/songwriter of the 1970s. Known for the introspective lyrics of songs like "Carolina in My Mind," "Fire
and Rain" and "Sweet Baby James," Taylor is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Writers:
Maya Angelou- Born Marguerite Johnson in St. Louis and raised in rural Arkansas, Angelou has lived in North
Carolina since the early 1980s, when she accepted a position as a professor at Wake Forest University. She has had a distinguished
career as a novelist and poet. Among her most famous works is "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings."
Public
Figures:
Elizabeth Dole: A native of Salisbury, Dole worked for six different presidents and served as president
of the American Red Cross before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002. She is also married to Bob Dole, a former senator
and presidential candidate.
John Edwards- This Robbins native served one term in the United States Senate,
and gained national attention as one of the contenders for the Democratic nomination in the 2004 presidential election. Edwards
went on to become the running mate of unsuccessful Democratic presidential nominee, Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts
Billy
Graham- Perhaps the most famous evangelical preacher in the world, the Charlotte native has been voted 39 times to a list
of the most admired men in the world. He has advised several presidents and has become famous for his "crusades" across the
globe.
Andrew Jackson- Born in Western North Carolina, Jackson was the 7th President of the United States.
He was known for his staunch defense of the rights of the people, and also for his frequent parties, which anyone in the country
could attend!
Andrew Johnson- A Raleigh native and former tailor who rose to become Vice President of the
United States, Johnson assumed the presidency after Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. In 1868 he became the first President
ever to be impeached.
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