1. Nat Turner's Rebellion: On August 28, 1831, one of the bloodiest uprisings in American history took place in Southampton County, Virginia when Nat Turner and a group of slaves revolted against white plantation owners. The rebellion resulted in the deaths of over 50 white people, and Turner was later captured and hanged. The rebellion is considered a pivotal moment in the history of slavery in the United States.

2. Women’s Suffrage Parade: On August 28, 1915, suffragists organized a parade in Richmond, Virginia to advocate for women’s right to vote. Over 5,000 women participated in the parade, which was met with opposition and violence from onlookers. Despite the challenges, the suffragists continued to fight for women’s right to vote, and Virginia would eventually ratify the 19th Amendment in 1952.

3. African American Theater: On August 28, 1953, the African American theater actor, singer, and producer Paul Robeson performed at the Virginia State Fairgrounds in Richmond. Robeson was a prominent figure in civil rights and labor movements and used his platform to advocate for racial equality.

4. Virginia Military Institute: On August 28, 1996, the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) was forced to end its longstanding male-only admission policy due to a Supreme Court ruling that it violated the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause. VMI would go on to admit women for the first time in its history in 1997.

5. Virginia Tech: On August 28, 2006, Virginia Tech opened its doors for the first time following the mass shooting that occurred on April 16, 2007. The shooting resulted in the deaths of 32 individuals and is considered one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history. The university has since implemented numerous safety protocol measures to prevent future incidents.