1. John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry occurred on December 3, 1859. Brown and his followers attempted to seize weapons from the federal armory in Harpers Ferry in order to start a slave rebellion. The raid failed and Brown was eventually executed for his actions, but it is often seen as a catalyst for the Civil War.

2. On December 3, 1792, the first Methodist church in West Virginia was founded in Berkeley County. The church, known as Old Stone Church, is still standing and hosts services to this day.

3. West Virginia became the 35th state in the United States on December 3, 1863. The state was formed during the Civil War when several counties in the northwestern part of Virginia decided to secede from Virginia and form a new state loyal to the Union.

4. The first intercollegiate football game in West Virginia was played on December 3, 1892. The game was between West Virginia University and the University of Pennsylvania, with Penn winning 14-0.

5. The Greenbrier, a luxury resort in White Sulphur Springs, officially opened on December 3, 1778. Over the years, the hotel has hosted numerous presidents, celebrities, and dignitaries, and has become a popular destination for tourists. During World War II, the hotel was used as a secret government relocation facility.