1. In 1789, George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the United States in New York City. This event did not take place in Virginia, but has significant historical importance for the state as Washington was a native Virginian and one of its most prominent figures.

2. The Battle of Chancellorsville, one of the most significant battles of the American Civil War, began on April 30, 1863 in Virginia. Confederate General Robert E. Lee led his troops to victory over Union General Joseph Hooker's army, although the battle resulted in high casualties on both sides.

3. On April 30, 1900, the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway was authorized by Congress. The parkway, which spans 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina, is known for its scenic views and popular tourist destinations.

4. Virginia native and civil rights activist Barbara Johns led a student strike on April 30, 1951 at Robert Russa Moton High School in Farmville. This strike eventually led to the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case which desegregated schools across the country.

5. The Virginia Tech campus shooting took place on April 16, 2007, but on April 30 of that year, the university held a memorial service for the 32 victims who lost their lives in the tragic event. The service was attended by then-Governor Tim Kaine and President George W. Bush, among others.