1. In 1861, the Virginia General Assembly voted to secede from the United States, leading to the creation of West Virginia. However, it would take several years of conflict before West Virginia was officially recognized as a separate state in 1863.
2. On January 23, 1930, the state's first commercial airline flight took off from Charleston. The flight, which was operated by Pennsylvania-Central Airlines, traveled to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
3. In 1923, the state's Prohibition law took effect, making it illegal to purchase, sell or consume alcohol. The law was eventually repealed in 1933 after the ratification of the 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
4. On January 23, 1960, a major coal mine disaster occurred in Lumberport, West Virginia. The explosion, which was caused by a buildup of methane gas, resulted in the deaths of 16 miners.
5. The state's largest winter sports festival, the Winterfest in Canaan Valley, typically takes place around January 23. The festival features ski races, snowboarding competitions, and other winter activities.