USA Block Tour - North Carolina
Where did the “Tar Heels” nickname come from?
The term “tar heel” dates back to North Carolina’s early history, when the state was a leading producer of supplies for the naval industry. Workers who distilled turpentine from the sticky sap of pine trees and burned pine boughs to produce tar and pitch often went barefoot during hot summer months and undoubtedly collected tar on their heels. To call someone a “rosin heel” or “tar heel” was to imply that they worked in a lowly trade.
During the Civil War, North Carolina soldiers flipped the meaning of the term and turned an epithet into an accolade. They called themselves “tar heels” as an expression of state pride. Others adopted the term, and North Carolina became widely known as the “Tar Heel State.”
In the 1880s, when UNC teams began competing in intercollegiate sports, they needed a nickname. There does not appear to have been any debate over what to call the teams and how to express school spirit. They were then, and have always been, Tar Heels.
You can get your complimentary block pattern HERE.
Join our private Facebook group, Applique Quilting with Laser Precuts.
Like us on Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest
Please share with family & friends who would like to participate.
Sign up for the USA Tour weekly emails at: www.blockofthemo.com
See more at: www.blockofthemo.com/us-tour
Raffles & giveaways http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/840d70472/?
Louanna Mary Quilt Design
Slice of Pi Quilts
Prairie Point Junction
Tuning My Heart Quilts, LLC
Traditional Primitives
Inquiring Quilter
A Stitch in Time
On Williams Street
TextileTimeTravels
Stitch Adventure
Designs by Sarah J
Blue Bear Quilts
Usquepaugh Baking Company
The Quilting Room with Mel
Orchid Owl Quilts
Lizard Creek Quilting
Seams To Be Sew
Seams Like a Dream Quilts
Pretty Piney Quilts
QuiltFabrication
One Quilting Circle
Flying Parrot Quilts
Stitched in Purple
The Quilted Diary
Katie Mae Quilts
Wendt Quilting
Calico Patch Designs
Ladybug's Cabin
Appliques Quilts and more
KISSed Quilts
Carolina Moore
Charlie's Daughter, wool designs
Quilt 2 End ALZ, Inc.
Dragonfly's Quilting Design Studio
Off The Wall Quilt
Sarah Ruiz Quilts
Quilt Doodle Designs
PhoebeMoon Designs
Orange Blossom Quilt Design Studio LLC
Tamarini