1. In 1861, the state of Virginia seceded from the Union, but the northwestern counties of Virginia rejected the decision and declared themselves the state of West Virginia. January 9, 1861 marked the beginning of the secession crisis in Virginia, which ultimately led to the formation of West Virginia as a separate state.

2. On January 9, 1913, the West Virginia legislature passed the Mother's Day proclamation, making it one of the first states in the country to officially recognize the holiday. The effort was led by Anna Jarvis, a native of Grafton, West Virginia, who created the holiday to honor her mother's work as a peace activist.

3. West Virginia's first state capitol building burned down on January 9, 1921, destroying many important historical artifacts and documents. The loss of the building was a major blow to the state, but a new capitol building was constructed and dedicated in 1932.

4. On January 9, 1956, the West Virginia Turnpike officially opened to the public. The 88-mile highway connected the northern and southern parts of the state, greatly improving transportation and economic development for the region.

5. In 2014, a major chemical spill occurred in Charleston, West Virginia, contaminating the water supply for 300,000 people. The incident, which started on January 9, caused a state of emergency to be declared and led to widespread criticism of the state's lax regulations on the chemical industry. The spill highlighted the importance of environmental safety and sparked a wider national debate on the issue.