Authorized by an act of Congress on 3 June 1936, the keel of BB-55 was laid down at the Brooklyn Navy Yard on Navy Day, 27 October 1937. This was the first time the United States had started construction of a battleship in 16 years. A few new cruisers and destroyers had been built, but in general, the fleet was old if not obsolete at the time.

Ships are not built in a day. As they say, when you need ships it's too late to build them. Four years of design work, and three years and eight months went into her construction.

While building the NORTH CAROLINA, war broke out in Europe, and only four days before her launch Hitler's divisions occupied Paris. In the Far East, Japan had invaded China, and was threatening further aggressive moves in Southeast Asia.

On 13 June 1940, Governor Clyde R. Hoey of North Carolina's daughter, Isabel, to the strains of "Anchors Aweigh", smashed the traditional bottle of champagne against the bow and launched the ship. Then, on 9 April 1941, after completing her fitting-out, Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox commissioned the ship. After all work was done, the ship cost the taxpayers $76,885,750. Today, the sum would be vastly greater.

After commissioning, the North Carolina had an unusually extensive shakedown, lasting several months. During this long "shakedown" period, the North Carolina returned often to her building yard for adjustments and modifications. During this time, New Yorkers, and in particular radio commentator Walter Winchell often witnessed the great new "battlewagon" entering and departing the harbor, and began to call her "The Showboat", after the colorful river steamer in a popular Broadway musical. The name has stuck ever since.

The Battleship returned to her building yard in New York for Thanksgiving and was inport on 7 December 1941. Completing her shakedown, NORTH CAROLINA remained in the Atlantic through early Spring when the decision was made to send her into the Pacific.