1. The first official observance of "West Virginia Day" occurred on January 31, 1863, just days after West Virginia became a state during the Civil War. The day is now celebrated annually on June 20th.

2. On January 31, 1919, the infamous "Boston Molasses Disaster" occurred. However, many people are unaware of the impact that this disaster had on West Virginia. One of the companies that supplied molasses to the North End Purity Distilling Company, which owned the tank that burst, was the West Virginia Molasses Company.

3. January 31, 1936, marked the founding of the Greenbrier Hotel Orchestra, known as "America's Resort Orchestra." The orchestra played at the famous Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, and became highly acclaimed for their performances.

4. On January 31, 1940, the Tygart Valley Homesteads were established as part of President Roosevelt's New Deal. The goal of the program was to resettle struggling families in rural areas and provide them with the necessary resources to establish successful farmsteads. The Tygart Valley Homesteads were the only homestead community established in West Virginia.

5. January 31, 1985, marked the tragic death of West Virginia State Trooper Chuck Burkhammer. Burkhammer was shot and killed while trying to apprehend a suspect who had opened fire during a traffic stop. Burkhammer is remembered as a hero and is commemorated annually during West Virginia Law Enforcement Day.