1. On December 16, 1907, the state of West Virginia officially became the 35th state in the United States. The state was formed out of parts of Virginia during the Civil War and was admitted to the Union after several years of political and legal wrangling.

2. On December 16, 1922, the West Virginia state capitol building was dedicated. The capitol, designed by architect Cass Gilbert, is one of the most iconic buildings in the state and features a gold dome that can be seen from miles away.

3. On December 16, 1944, the Battle of the Bulge began. This was one of the largest and deadliest battles of World War II, with around 19,000 Americans killed and another 70,000 wounded. Many soldiers from West Virginia fought in this battle.

4. On December 16, 1967, the Silver Bridge collapsed, killing 46 people. The bridge, which connected the towns of Point Pleasant, West Virginia and Gallipolis, Ohio, collapsed during rush hour traffic and became one of the worst bridge disasters in United States history.

5. On December 16, 2005, West Virginia University quarterback Pat White made history by becoming the first quarterback to win four straight bowl games. White led the Mountaineers to victories in the 2006 Gator Bowl, the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, the 2008 Fiesta Bowl, and the 2008 CarQuest Bowl. He remains one of the most beloved players in West Virginia football history.