1. In 1863, West Virginia was admitted to the Union as the 35th state. The state's creation was a result of the Civil War and the division of Virginia.
2. On December 21, 1918, the West Virginia Capitol Building in Charleston was completed after four years of construction. The building features a golden dome and houses the offices of the governor and other state officials.
3. The West Virginia State Police was established on December 21, 1919. The agency was initially created to combat moonshine and illegal alcohol sales during Prohibition.
4. In 1985, the Sago Mine Disaster occurred near Buckhannon, West Virginia on December 21. Thirteen miners were trapped underground after an explosion and only one ultimately survived.
5. On December 21, 1991, West Virginia became the first US state to establish a tax credit for the preservation of historic structures. The credit has since been expanded and is still in effect today.