1. On February 15, 1796, the Virginia state legislature approved the charter for the University of Virginia. This institution, founded by Thomas Jefferson, would become one of the country's most prestigious public universities.

2. Two important Civil War battles took place on February 15 in Virginia. In 1862, the Battle of Fort Donelson ended with a Union victory, and in 1864, the Battle of Olustee resulted in a Confederate win.

3. On February 15, 1989, Virginia's first elected African American governor, L. Douglas Wilder, was inaugurated. Wilder served in this role from 1990 to 1994 and helped break down barriers for Black politicians in the state.

4. In 1958, Virginia's first indoor shopping mall, Tysons Corner Center, opened its doors on February 15. The mall has since undergone several expansions and renovations and is still a popular shopping destination in Northern Virginia.

5. On February 15, 2010, the Virginia Tech community held a memorial service to honor the victims of the 2007 campus shooting. The event included remarks from President Barack Obama and was attended by many of the victims' families and loved ones.