1. On January 11, 1861, the state of West Virginia seceded from Virginia and officially joined the Union during the American Civil War. This move was a key factor in the eventual defeat of the Confederacy and the preservation of the United States.

2. West Virginia experienced a devastating mine explosion on January 11, 1904, at the Davis Coal and Coke Company's mine in Eccles. The explosion claimed the lives of 181 miners and was one of the worst such disasters in American history.

3. The "Train of Dreams" arrived in Charleston, West Virginia, on January 11, 1949, as part of a national tour aimed at promoting the newly created Boys Clubs of America. The train consisted of several fully equipped club rooms, a gymnasium, and a movie theater, and was a sensation among local residents.

4. On January 11, 1961, West Virginia Senator Robert C. Byrd made his first speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate. Byrd would go on to serve as a senator from West Virginia for over half a century, making him one of the longest-serving members of Congress in American history.

5. The state of West Virginia celebrated its centennial on January 11, 1963, with a series of parades, concerts, and other festivities. The highlight of the celebrations was a speech by then-President John F. Kennedy, who praised the state's history and called on its citizens to continue working towards a better future.