1. In 1861, the State of Virginia voted to secede from the United States and join the Confederacy. However, the largely Unionist counties of western Virginia refused to recognize the move and instead decided to remain loyal to the Union. On January 21 of that year, a convention was held in Wheeling, where delegates declared that the Restored Government of Virginia was the only legitimate representative of the state.

2. In 1914, the West Virginia Legislature established the West Virginia State Police, making it the fourth state police agency in the United States. The agency's mission was to enforce the laws of the state and to provide a safe environment for citizens.

3. On January 21, 1921, the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs was destroyed by fire. The resort, which had been one of the grandest in the country and had hosted numerous U.S. Presidents and other celebrities, was completely rebuilt and reopened in 1930.

4. In 1963, civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a speech at West Virginia State College in Institute. The speech, which was titled "Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution," focused on the theme of racial equality and was part of King's broader efforts to advance the cause of civil rights throughout the country.

5. On January 21, 2017, West Virginia University played host to a controversy when conservative commentator Milo Yiannopoulos was invited to speak on campus. His appearance sparked protests and counter-protests, with both sides clashing in violent confrontations. Despite the controversy, Yiannopoulos gave his speech as planned.