North Carolina Welcomes Bev

Story and photos by Wade Allen, Managing Editor

On Jan. 10, North Carolina made history and inaugurated its first female governor. Beverly (Bev) Perdue was inaugurated in Raleigh across the street from the Executive Mansion.

She became North Carolina's 73rd governor. Dignitaries present included former North Carolina governors Jim Hunt, Jim Holshouser and Mike Easley.

Arguably the state's most famous resident, television icon Andy Griffith, delivered a special reading and U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan could be seen giving the new governor applause upon the conclusion of her inaugural speech.

Many members of the North Carolina General Assembly were present to congratulate the new governor along with members of the state supreme court.

The inauguration ceremony featured a 19-gun salute and a military fly over in the Perdue's honor.

Following the inauguration was a parade up Fayetteville Street in Raleigh and tours through the Capitol Building.

The Executive Mansion was also open for three hours and the line consisted of nearly 5,000 people waiting to take a self-guided tour.


Editor's note: Managing Editor Wade Allen became a footnote to history when he was interviewed by NPR and WRAL-TV.