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Fayetteville, North Carolina

"Fayettenam"

Home to Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg), one of the world's largest military installations.

Founded 1739 | Population 208,797 | Peak 208,797 (2024) | County Cumberland County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Fayetteville, North Carolina

1918Camp Bragg Established: The U.S. Army established Camp Bragg for WWI training. It grew into Fort Bragg, home to the 82nd Airborne, Special Forces, and XVIII Airborne Corps.

1789NC Ratifies Constitution: North Carolina ratified the U.S. Constitution at Fayetteville. The same convention chartered UNC, the nation's first public university.

1739Scottish Highland Settlement: Scottish Highlanders established Cross Creek along the Cape Fear River.

1865Sherman Burns Fayetteville: Union forces captured and burned the city during Sherman's March.

195282nd Airborne Arrives: The famed 82nd Airborne Division was permanently stationed at Fort Bragg.

1961Kennedy Visits Green Berets: President Kennedy authorized Green Berets to wear their distinctive headgear during a Fort Bragg visit.

2001War on Terror Deployments: Fort Bragg units deployed heavily to Afghanistan and Iraq.

2005BRAC Expands Mission: Base Realignment added FORSCOM headquarters, increasing military population.

2019Woodpeckers Baseball: Minor league Fayetteville Woodpeckers began play downtown.

2023Fort Liberty Renaming: Fort Bragg officially renamed Fort Liberty, removing the Confederate namesake.

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Latest News in Fayetteville

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Complete Historical Timeline

1739 Government

Scottish Highlanders settle Cross Creek

1783 Government

Renamed for Marquis de Lafayette

1789 Government

NC ratifies Constitution here

1865 Disaster

Sherman burns the city

1918 Government

Camp Bragg established

1952 Government

82nd Airborne arrives

1961 Government

Kennedy visits Green Berets

2001 Government

War on Terror deployments

2019 Culture

Woodpeckers baseball debuts

2023 Government

Fort Bragg renamed Fort Liberty

Did You Know?

Fort Liberty covers 251 square miles — larger than Chicago — with 50,000+ active duty personnel.

The 82nd Airborne can deploy anywhere in the world within 18 hours.

Fayetteville is named directly for the Marquis de Lafayette who helped win American independence.

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