1. Virginia became a colony: On August 8, 1585, Virginia became a colony when Sir Richard Grenville arrived with 108 men on the island of Roanoke. This event marked the beginning of England's efforts to colonize the New World.

2. Battle of Clark's Mountain: On August 8, 1780, the Battle of Clark's Mountain took place in Virginia during the American Revolutionary War. This battle saw a British force led by Banastre Tarleton clash with a group of Virginia militiamen led by General Charles Scott.

3. Virginia Constitution ratified: On August 8, 1864, the Constitution of Virginia was ratified. This constitution abolished slavery and provided voting rights for non-white men. It also extended suffrage to certain categories of women.

4. Virginia's first African American governor: On August 8, 1990, Douglas Wilder became Virginia's first African American governor, and the first African American to be elected governor of any US state. Wilder served as governor from 1990 to 1994.

5. Virginia Tech shooting: On August 8, 2011, Virginia Tech marked the fourth anniversary of the tragic shooting that had taken place on its campus in 2007. The shooting caused the death of 32 people and was the deadliest school shooting in US history at the time.