1. On April 20, 1863, West Virginia officially became the 35th state of the United States of America. After years of tension and conflict between the Union and Confederate forces during the Civil War, West Virginia was able to secure statehood to become its own entity within the country.

2. The first ever recorded football game played in West Virginia took place on April 20, 1893, between the West Virginia University Mountaineers and the Washington & Jefferson College Presidents. Despite losing the game, the Mountaineers would go on to establish a strong tradition in football over the years.

3. On April 20, 1914, the West Virginia State Capitol was officially dedicated in Charleston, replacing the previous capitol building that had been destroyed by fire. The current capitol building features a distinctive gold dome and serves as the center of government for the state of West Virginia.

4. April 20, 1963, was the date of the dedication of the New River Gorge Bridge, the longest steel arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere and one of the most popular tourist attractions in West Virginia. The 3,030-foot bridge crosses the New River Gorge and provides stunning views of the surrounding mountains and river below.

5. April 20, 1970, saw the first Earth Day celebration, a movement started by senator Gaylord Nelson to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote environmental protections. West Virginia has a significant history in environmental activism, particularly around mountaintop removal coal mining, and has been an active participant in Earth Day events over the years.