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Last Updated: Jul 2nd, 2008 - 21:15:22 |
(NAPSI)-Fayetteville, North Carolina, has a rich and diverse history that begins with its name. Fayetteville is named after Revolutionary War hero Marquis de LaFayette.
Fayetteville is the first city named after LaFayette and is the only namesake city he visited. Known for its heroes and hometown feeling, the greater Fayetteville area is rich in history, starting before the Revolutionary War:
• The Liberty Point Monument marks the site where 55 local patriots formed the Cumberland Association on June 20, 1775 and pledged their fortunes to gaining the nation's independence.
• North Carolina ratified the U.S. Constitution in Fayetteville in 1789 at the State House, currently the site of the Market House. Delegates also chartered the University of North Carolina, America's oldest public university in Fayetteville.
• In 1793, George Washington chartered the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry company, today the second oldest militia unit in continuous existence in the U.S. The history of FILI is housed at the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Armory and Museum.
• In 1865, General Sherman burned the arsenal at Fayetteville, which made weapons for the Confederacy. Today, the arsenal's remains can be toured at the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex. It's one of seven sites on the North Carolina Civil War Trail program.
• "Camp Bragg" (today Fort Bragg) was established in 1918 as a field artillery site. The airborne tradition began in 1934, with the first military parachute jump.
Fayetteville and Cumberland County are home to many of the nation's defenders, who train at Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base. Located in downtown Fayetteville, the U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum tells the history of the U.S. Army Airborne, welcoming 200,000 visitors every year.
Greater Fayetteville's hometown feeling is celebrated in its events and festivals. The fourth most diverse county in the U.S. celebrates an annual International Folk Festival, the Umoja Festival, which celebrates African American heritage; the Greek Festival, Airborne Heritage Days, Ghastly Ghost Tours, A Dicken's Holiday, The Holly Day Fair, The Dogwood Festival and much much more. On the fourth Friday of every month, there's a free downtown street celebration and on the first Saturday, admission to the Cape Fear Botanical Garden is free.
For information, visit www.Visit FayettevilleNC.com.
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