1. West Virginia was declared the 35th state of the United States on August 21, 1861, during the American Civil War. The state was created from Virginia's western counties, which remained loyal to the Union and separated from the rest of the state, which had seceded to join the Confederacy.

2. On August 21, 1940, the first United States Army Reserve Training Center was established in Clarksburg, West Virginia. The center was set up to train and mobilize troops for World War II and became an important hub for military activity in the state.

3. In 1959, a 5.0 magnitude earthquake struck West Virginia on August 21. The epicenter was located near the town of Spencer and caused significant damage to buildings and infrastructure in the area. It was one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded in the state.

4. On August 21, 1971, the West Virginia State Police Academy was established in Institute, West Virginia. The academy is responsible for training and educating new recruits to become state troopers and has played a vital role in maintaining law and order in the state over the years.

5. August 21, 1983, marked the opening of the Wheeling - Pittsburgh Steel Corporation's new continuous caster at the company's Mingo Junction plant. The new equipment was designed to increase production efficiency and reduce costs and helped to keep the steel industry thriving in the state during a period of great economic change.