1. In 1861, the Governor of Virginia issued a proclamation designating April 22nd as the date for the vote on secession from the Union. West Virginia, which was part of Virginia at the time, voted against secession, paving the way for its eventual statehood.

2. On April 22, 1970, millions of people around the world celebrated the first Earth Day. West Virginia played an important role in the environmental movement, with activists raising awareness about the impacts of coal mining and other forms of resource extraction on local communities and the environment.

3. April 22, 1904 marks the birth of Robert C. Byrd, who served as a United States Senator from West Virginia for over 51 years. Byrd was the longest-serving Senator in U.S. history, and was known for his advocacy of federal investment in West Virginia and his expertise in legislative procedure.

4. On April 22, 1862, the Battle of McDowell took place near the town of McDowell in Highland County, Virginia (now part of West Virginia). The battle was part of Confederate General Stonewall Jackson's campaign in the Shenandoah Valley during the Civil War, and resulted in a Union victory.

5. April 22, 1936 saw the birth of Glenville State College, a public liberal arts college located in Glenville, West Virginia. The college began as a training school for teachers, and has since expanded its offerings to include over 30 undergraduate programs and several graduate programs.