1. In 1861, the Battle of Bunker Hill took place in Berkeley County, Virginia, during the Civil War. Confederate troops attempted to secure the area around Winchester, but were repulsed by Union forces under General Robert Patterson.

2. On July 12, 1917, the Virginia State Council of Defense was established to coordinate the state's war efforts during World War I. The council was responsible for recruiting volunteer organizations, promoting conservation and rationing, and supporting the war effort through propaganda campaigns.

3. In 1933, the Virginia Dare Trail in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, was opened to vehicular traffic. The road, named after the first English child born in the New World, Virginia Dare, provided access to the Outer Banks and helped to promote tourism in the region.

4. On July 12, 1958, the Central Virginia Whiskey Tax Rebellion began in Nelson County, Virginia. Disgruntled residents protested against the state's liquor laws, which they felt were unfair and discriminatory. The protests led to a showdown between law enforcement and protesters, and ended with a compromise that allowed for the legal sale of mixed drinks in restaurants.

5. In 2019, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced the formation of a commission to study the impact of slavery on the state's economy, culture, and institutions. The commission, which included scholars and historians, examined the legacy of slavery and recommended ways to promote awareness and reconciliation. The formation of the commission was seen as a key step in addressing Virginia's complex history of slavery and racial inequality.