1. In 1800, Virginia's capital city was officially moved from Williamsburg to Richmond. This decision was made in part due to Richmond's location on the James River, which allowed for easier transportation and communication throughout the state.

2. On April 24, 1862, the Battle of McDowell took place in Highland County, Virginia, during the American Civil War. Confederate forces, led by General Thomas Jackson (also known as "Stonewall" Jackson), defeated a Union army led by General Robert Milroy.

3. In 1895, the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) won its first ever state track and field championship. The VMI track team would go on to win a total of 15 state championships over the next few decades.

4. On April 24, 1924, the Virginia General Assembly passed a law designating the dogwood (Cornus florida) as the official state flower of Virginia. The dogwood is known for its showy, pink-to-white blossoms and is a common sight in Virginia's forests.

5. In 1950, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial was dedicated on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Although Jefferson was not originally from Virginia (he was born in Virginia's neighboring state of Virginia), he spent much of his adult life in Virginia and is considered one of the state's most important historical figures.