1. In 1831, the Nat Turner slave rebellion began in Southampton County, Virginia on August 21st. Nat Turner, a slave who believed he had received divine instructions to lead a rebellion, and a group of around 70 slaves attacked and killed white plantation owners and their families. It is estimated that the rebellion resulted in the death of over 50 white people before it was ultimately suppressed.

2. On August 21st, 1906, work began on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, a 17.6 mile structure that connects Virginia's Eastern Shore with the mainland. The bridge-tunnel, which opened in 1964, was the longest overwater structure of its kind at the time and has been designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

3. The Blue Ridge Parkway, a scenic drive that winds through the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia and North Carolina, was officially dedicated on August 21st, 1937. The parkway spans over 450 miles and provides breathtaking views of the mountain landscape, as well as opportunities for hiking, camping, and wildlife watching.

4. In 1959, Virginia Governor J. Lindsay Almond Jr. defied a federal court order to desegregate schools by ordering the closure of several schools in Prince Edward County. The closures, which lasted from 1959 to 1964, left thousands of black students without access to education. August 21, 1961 marked the beginning of the fourth year of the school closings.

5. On August 21, 2017, a rare total solar eclipse made its way over Virginia, stunning onlookers with its awe-inspiring display. While the total eclipse was only visible in a small portion of southwestern Virginia, the rest of the state experienced a partial eclipse, with the moon covering up to 86% of the sun. This celestial event drew thousands of tourists to Virginia, eager to witness the rare phenomenon.