1. In 1781, the Battle of Cowpens took place in South Carolina during the American Revolutionary War. Virginia soldiers played a vital role in this battle, which resulted in a decisive victory for American forces against British troops.

2. On January 9, 1861, Virginia's secession convention voted to secede from the United States and join the Confederacy. This decision played a significant role in the outbreak of the American Civil War.

3. In 1923, Virginia native Eugene O'Neill premiered his play "The Hairy Ape" at the Provincetown Playhouse in New York City. The play, which explores the struggles of the working class and the divide between rich and poor, was a critical and commercial success.

4. On January 9, 1974, the Virginia General Assembly ratified the Equal Rights Amendment, which aimed to guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex. However, the amendment failed to receive the necessary number of ratifications and was never added to the U.S. Constitution.

5. In 2002, Virginia governor Mark Warner signed legislation creating the Virginia Indian Heritage Trail, a network of historical markers and interpretive centers highlighting the history and culture of Virginia's Native American communities. The trail spans the entire state and has become a popular attraction for tourists and history enthusiasts.