1. The Battle of Greenbrier River: On April 7, 1862, Confederate forces under General Edward Johnson clashed with Union forces under General Robert Milroy at the Battle of Greenbrier River. The engagement resulted in a Confederate victory and helped secure southern control of western Virginia.

2. West Virginia became a state: On April 7, 1863, West Virginia officially became the 35th state in the United States. The area had previously been part of Virginia but seceded from the Confederacy during the Civil War and formed its own state.

3. The first public broadcasting station in West Virginia: On April 7, 1969, West Virginia Public Broadcasting began broadcasting from its first station, WVPB-TV in Morgantown. Today, it operates several television and radio stations across the state.

4. Deadly flooding: On April 7, 1985, severe flooding struck areas in West Virginia and surrounding states, causing extensive damage and claiming at least 47 lives. The floodwaters were caused by heavy rains and melting snow.

5. The beginning of the Upper Big Branch mine disaster: On April 7, 2010, an explosion occurred at the Upper Big Branch coal mine in West Virginia, killing 29 miners. The disaster was the worst mining accident in the United States in 40 years and brought renewed attention to the safety of coal mining.