1. In 1923, the Virginia State Armory was completed in Richmond. Designed by architect Carneal Johnston, it served as the headquarters of the Virginia National Guard and a venue for events ranging from concerts to political rallies.
2. On February 19, 1954, the United States Supreme Court handed down its landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education, striking down the "separate but equal" doctrine and declaring racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. The decision had a significant impact on Virginia, which remained deeply segregated at the time.
3. February 19, 2004 was a tragic day in Virginia history, as a shooting occurred at the Appalachian School of Law in Grundy. Three people were killed and three others wounded in the incident, which was carried out by a student and his accomplice.
4. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts opened its doors to the public on February 19, 1936. The museum, located in Richmond, is now one of the largest comprehensive art museums in the United States, with collections spanning over 5,000 years of world art.
5. On February 19, 1861, the Virginia General Assembly voted to secede from the United States of America. The move was prompted by the election of Abraham Lincoln as president and concerns over states' rights and slavery. Virginia became part of the Confederate States of America, which lasted until the end of the American Civil War in 1865.