1. In 1861, the Battle of Rich Mountain took place in West Virginia, marking a significant victory for the Union army in the Civil War. Union forces led by General George McClellan defeated a Confederate force under General Robert Garnett.

2. On July 25, 1900, a major flood swept through the city of Parkersburg, West Virginia. Over 3,000 homes were destroyed and 50 people lost their lives in the disaster.

3. The renowned author and poet Louise McNeill was born on July 25, 1911, in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. McNeill's works often explored the unique culture and history of Appalachia.

4. The National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia, officially opened on July 25, 1957. The observatory is home to some of the world's most advanced radio telescopes and has played a vital role in numerous scientific discoveries.

5. On July 25, 1994, the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, was selected to serve as an emergency relocation center for members of the US Congress in the event of a national crisis. The facility, known as "The Bunker," includes a self-sustaining underground complex that can accommodate up to 1,100 people.