2024 Year in Review: North Carolina’s Defining Moments

2024 has been a year of remarkable shifts and moments of both triumph and turmoil for North Carolina and the nation. From groundbreaking achievements to unexpected challenges, it’s time to reflect on the key events, from sports to politics, that have defined the year in the Tar Heel State.

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Sports

Bill Belichick Takes Over UNC Football

In December 2024, Bill Belichick, the legendary NFL coach renowned for his six Super Bowl victories with the New England Patriots, was appointed as the head football coach at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. This move marks Belichick’s first time in college football coaching, bringing his extensive professional experience to the collegiate level.

“I’ve always wanted to coach in college football. It just never really worked out. Had some good years in the NFL, so that was OK. But this is really kind of a dream come true,” Belichick says.

Rod Brind’Amour Receives the State’s Highest Honor

On December 15, 2024, following the Carolina Hurricanes’ 4-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper honored head coach Rod Brind’Amour with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the state’s highest civilian award. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is awarded to those who have made significant contributions to the state and their community.

Brind’Amour was acquired to play for the Carolina Hurricanes in January of 2000, going on to lead the team to victory in the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals. Since retiring as a player in 2010, his jersey number 17 was retired in 2011. That same year, Brind’Amour joined the coaching staff as their assistant and development coach. In 2018, Brind’Amour was hired as the Hurricanes’ head coach, leading the team to the playoffs every season since.

NC State’s Final Four Run

The NC State Wolfpack men’s basketball team had a remarkable run in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Final Four for the first time since 1983. They secured their spot by defeating second-seed Duke with a 76-64 victory on March 31, 2024.

ECU’s Football Turnaround

On October 20, 2024, East Carolina University (ECU) dismissed head football coach Mike Houston following a 3-4 start to the season. This decision came after back-to-back blowout losses: a 55-24 defeat to Charlotte and a 45-28 loss to Army.

After Blake Harrell was appointed as interim head coach for ECU football, the team experienced a remarkable turnaround. Under the leadership of Harrell, the Pirates transformed from a struggling squad with a 3-4 record into a team that finished the regular season with a perfect 4-0 record. His efforts led to East Carolina securing a bowl game against North Carolina State University.

Olympics: North Carolina Athletes Shine in Paris

Team USA delivered an outstanding performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, leading the overall medal count for the eighth consecutive Games. The United States secured a total of 126 medals: 40 gold, 44 silver, and 42 bronze.

North Carolina was well represented in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Over 30 athletes that competed have ties to North Carolina, Including at least 14 current or alumni of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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Natural Disasters

Hurricane Helene Wreaks Havoc in North Carolina

In late September, Hurricane Helene caused significant devastation in North Carolina. The Emergency Management Department of Rutherford County issued a warning for the “imminent” failure of the Lake Lure Dam due to significant rainfall, leading to immediate evacuations.

The death toll from Hurricane Helene is estimated at around 230 people, with nearly half of the deaths occurring in North Carolina, making it the second-deadliest hurricane to strike the United States in the past fifty years, behind only Hurricane Katrina. A thousand U.S. soldiers were deployed to western North Carolina to aid in humanitarian operations and in finding hundreds of missing residents. The death toll for North Carolina is verified at 103 as of December 11th, according to the NCDHHS.

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Healthcare

Medicaid Expansion Surpasses Goals

The state achieved its enrollment goal for Medicaid expansion, enrolling over 600,000 low-income adults about a year ahead of projections. This expansion has notably benefited rural communities, with over a third of new enrollees residing in these areas. Since its rollout, 4.1 million prescriptions related to chronic diseases have been filled, demonstrating the program’s immediate effect on public health.

Telehealth: Improving Access Across the State

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and evolving healthcare needs, North Carolina expanded access to telehealth services in 2024. This policy change allowed more healthcare providers to deliver services remotely, making it easier for patients to access care, especially for routine check-ups and chronic disease management. The expansion also facilitated mental health services and reduced travel for patients in remote areas.

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Politics

Josh Stein Wins Gubernatorial Election

On November 5, 2024, Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein was elected as the Governor of North Carolina, defeating Republican Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson. Stein’s victory marks him as the state’s first Jewish governor. The election was notable for Stein’s significant margin of victory, which analysts suggest contributed to down-ballot successes for Democrats in concurrent elections.

Diverse Cabinet Appointments

Governor-elect Josh Stein appointed seven cabinet secretaries, including the first Latino and first Native American secretaries in the state’s history. Notably, Reid Wilson and Pamela Cashwell, current department heads, will continue in the cabinet under the new administration.

North Carolina’s Role as a Swing State

In the 2024 U.S. presidential election, North Carolina remained a key battleground state, known for its status as a swing state due to its diverse electorate and fluctuating political preferences in recent years. However, in the election, the state ultimately leaned in favor of the Republican Party, with Donald Trump securing a victory.

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National Highlights

Donald Trump wins Presidential Election

Donald Trump secured a return to the White House, defeating incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris in the November 5th election. His victory was marked by increased support among minority groups, including Hispanic and Black voters. Trump’s agenda includes aggressive policies on immigration, government size reduction, and a redefined “America First” foreign policy stance. His political resurgence is unprecedented, rebounding from previous controversies and legal battles.

Space Exploration Milestone

SpaceX achieved the first successful return and capture of a Super Heavy booster from its Starship program, marking a significant advancement in reusable rocket technology. This achievement is expected to reduce the cost of space travel and facilitate future missions to the Moon and Mars.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Assassination

On December 4, 2024, UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed outside a Manhattan hotel. The suspect, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, was apprehended in Pennsylvania after a six-day manhunt. Authorities discovered a manifesto expressing Mangione’s grievances against the healthcare industry, including UnitedHealthcare. The incident has intensified public scrutiny of the health insurance sector.

Written onto the bullet casings were the chilling words: ‘deny, defend, depose.’

Natural Disaster and Climate Change Initiatives

Across the U.S., the topic of hurricanes, wildfires, and extreme weather events has become more apparent. North Carolina, prone to hurricanes, benefited from national policies designed to improve climate resilience and disaster preparedness. The federal government continued to provide funding for disaster relief in states impacted by severe weather, including North Carolina, which dealt with Hurricane Helene in 2024.

As of December 7th, 2024, Governor Roy Cooper announced that President Biden approved North Carolina’s request to increase federal coverage of Public Assistance costs to 90%, up from the typical 75%.

Donald Trump Survives Assassination Attempts

During a campaign rally near Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump was grazed by a bullet on his right ear. The assailant, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired eight rounds from an AR–15–style rifle, tragically killing an audience member and injuring two others. Crooks was fatally shot by Secret Service agents and Trump was discharged from the hospital in stable condition a few hours later.

A second attempt occurred at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, was spotted by a Secret Service agent before he could make an attempt. Routh fled the scene and was apprehended 40 minutes later. He now faces multiple federal charges, including attempted assassination.

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From athletic achievements to political developments and natural events, 2024 has been a notable year for North Carolina. As the state moves through these key moments, its resilience and role on the national and global stage remain evident.

New Years

New Year’s Day celebrations can be traced back to 2000 BCE in Mesopotamia, where the new year began with the new moon. In 46 B.C., Julius Ceasar created the Julian calendar, based on the sun, starting January 1st. The Gregorian calendar, most widely used today, was adopted in 1582 by Catholic nations to correct Julian’s calendar length error. The New Year’s Eve tradition of the ball drop in New York City’s Times Square started in 1907, replacing the fire risk of fireworks, and has occurred almost every year since. In modern society, the New Year is a time for reflection on the previous year, a time to celebrate accomplishments, and an opportunity to set goals for the upcoming year. 

Valentines Day

Valentine’s Day was not celebrated as a day of romance until around the 14th century. A Christian martyr named Valentine (Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni) could be the reason behind the holiday’s name but what led to that is up for debate. There are two major theories, one being that Valentine was executed on February 14th for defying the emperor’s ban on marriage. Another theory is that Valentine befriended and healed a blind girl, restoring her sight. The night before his execution, he left her a note signed “from your Valentine.” The romantic connection of Valentine’s Day is likely tied to Geoffrey Chacer’s “Parlement of Foules” in 1382. The mass production of Valentine’s cards began in the mid-19th century and is still a widely celebrated holiday today.

Easter

The earliest observance of Easter was in the 2nd century to commemorate the resurrection. In early celebrations, Christians celebrated Easter every Sunday but these are now the foundation of modern weekly Mass. The tradition of decorating Easter eggs dates back to around the 13th century when Lent forbid eggs. Easter egg hunts date back to the 16th century, some suggest, after Martin Luther organized egg hunts where men would hide eggs for women and children to find. The Easter bunny first became a tradition in the United States in the 1700s from German immigrants, specifically in Pennsylvania, after they brought the “Osterhase,” to lay eggs.

Independence Day

The Declaration of Independence was announced as the separation of the 13 American colonies from Great Britain on July 4th, 1776. The Declaration was signed by most delegates on August 2nd, making it official. If the British had won the American Revolution, the men whose names were on the paper, risked losing everything. The first Independence Day celebrations in 1777 included fireworks, bonfires, and bells in Philadephia. In New England, towns would compete on who could build the tallest bonfires, lighting them at nightfall. Today, Independence Day is celebrated with parades, family gatherings, fireworks, and, of course, the typical all-American food. 

Thanksgiving

In 1621, the Wampanoag people and English colonists took part in a feast that lasted three days. While this feast occurred, there is no confirmation that this marks the first Thanksgiving. This feast included dancing, games, deer, corn, and shellfish. In 1623, after a two-month drought, there was rainfall and the colonists gave thanks to God, making this a religious Thanksgiving (not tied to the 1621 event). The national holiday was established in the mid-19th century and is based on the 1621 harvest feast. Thanksgiving was previously suggested to be celebrated on November 26th by George Washington but after the end of the Civil War in 1863, Abraham Lincoln suggested it be celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. 

Hanukkah

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that means “dedication” in Hebrew. Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean Revolt in the 2nd century BCE. Hanukkah begins on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar, a lunar calendar, which typically falls in November or December. The Dreidel was adopted after the Jewish people struggled to maintain religious freedom. Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish celebration that is celebrated by lighting the menorah or Hanukkiah, playing games, and giving gifts in modern traditions.

Christmas

In ancient Rome, December 25th was used to celebrate the return of longer days and in the 4th century, the Christian church adopted December 25th as the birthday of Jesus of Nazareth. Traditions emerged over the centuries including Christmas trees, carolin,g, and Santa Claus. Christmas has incorporated a variety of cultural traditions. The first Christmas tree was decorated in 1510. Modern depictions of Santa Claus come from Clement Clarke Moore’s poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” in 1823. Santa Claus’ modern appearance became popular in 1881 after a Coke-a-Cola advertisement featured a man with a red suit and white beard. In Germanic and Nordic countries, Christmas is celebrated on December 24th as children are presented with their presents.