Greensboro, North Carolina

Greensboro, North Carolina, is a city located in Guilford County in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 223,891 making it the third most populous city in North Carolina. Its estimated population in 2004 was 231,543. It is located at the intersection of two interstate highways (I-85 and I-40) in the Piedmont ("foot of the mountains") region, in Guilford County in the central part of the state. In 1808, Greensborough (as it was spelled then) replaced Guilford Court House as the county seat.

History

The city was named for Major General Nathanael Greene, commander of the American forces at the Battle of Guilford Court House on March 15, 1781. The Americans lost that battle but slowed Cornwallis's British forces enough to allow the Americans to prepare to defeat them at the Battle of Yorktown, where the British were forced to surrender on October 19, 1781, after a 20-day siege, thus ending the American Revolution.

Related Topics:
Nathanael Greene - Battle of Guilford Court House - March 15 - 1781 - Cornwallis - Battle of Yorktown - October 19 - American Revolution

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Greensboro has been known for being on the forefront of racial equality issues, sometimes resulting in nationally known events. During the 19th century, with its large concentration of anti-slavery Quakers near Guilford College (now part of Greensboro), the town was a stop on the Underground Railroad. The Railroad helped to smuggle runaway slaves to freedom in the North.

Related Topics:
19th century - Quakers - Underground Railroad

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In 1960, four black college students from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College sat down at an all-white Woolworth's lunch counter, and refused to leave when they were denied service. Hundreds of others soon joined in this first sit-in, which lasted for several months. Such protests quickly spread across the South, ultimately leading to the desegregation of Woolworth's and other chains. The original Woolworth's counter and stools now sit in the Smithsonian Museum, but a Sit-In Museum is being planned for the old Woolworth's building where the event actually occurred.

Related Topics:
1960 - Four black college students - North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College - Woolworth's - Sit-in - Desegregation - Smithsonian Museum

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On November 3, 1979, gunfire was exchanged between Communist Workers Party members holding an anti-Ku Klux Klan rally, and a group of KKK and neo-Nazi counter-protesters. Five CWP members were killed and seven were wounded and television footage of the event was shown across the nation. This event is known as the Greensboro massacre.

Related Topics:
November 3 - 1979 - Communist Workers Party - Ku Klux Klan - Neo-Nazi - Greensboro massacre

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The town is home to several universities and colleges. The University of North Carolina-Greensboro, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Guilford College, Bennett College, and Greensboro College all call Greensboro home. In addition, the state community college system has several campuses for the Guilford Technical Community College.

Related Topics:
University of North Carolina-Greensboro - North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University - Guilford College - Bennett College - Greensboro College - Guilford Technical Community College

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First Lady Dolley Madison and short story writer William Sydney Porter (a.k.a. O. Henry) were born in Greensboro. One of the luxury hotels in town is named after O. Henry. Edward R. Murrow, famed World War II CBS radio broadcaster, one of the pioneers of TV news and five-time Emmy winning journalist, was born just outside of the city. Nationally acclaimed poet Randall Jarrell lived in Greensboro when he was a professor at UNC-G until his death in 1965. He is buried near the Guilford College campus. Science fiction/fantasy author Orson Scott Card is a current resident. Rick Dees, a famous radio personality who hosts an internationally syndicated radio show and who has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, also grew up in Greensboro.

Related Topics:
First Lady - Dolley Madison - O. Henry - Edward R. Murrow - Randall Jarrell - Science fiction - Fantasy - Orson Scott Card - Rick Dees

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Greensboro native George Preddy, was credited with 26.83 enemy air-to-air kills ranking him as the top P-51 Mustang ace of World War II and sixth on the list of all-time highest scoring American aces. The town named a street "Preddy Boulevard" in his honor.

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In terms of geography, Greensboro enjoys gently rolling hills and is half-way between the mountains of North Carolina and its beaches to the east. A view of the city from its highest building—the Jefferson Pilot tower—reveals that the town is populated with large numbers of green trees giving perhaps another dimension to its name. The town is well-situated in terms of travel, with Interstates 40, 85, and the soon to be built I-73 passing through its borders.

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The Chrysler Classic of Greensboro, one of the oldest national PGA golf tour events, is held in Greensboro every fall at the Forest Oaks Country Club.

Related Topics:
Chrysler Classic of Greensboro - PGA - Forest Oaks Country Club

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The city is the home of the Greensboro Grasshoppers baseball club of the South Atlantic League.

Related Topics:
Greensboro Grasshoppers - South Atlantic League

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