1. On July 28, 1861, the Battle of Rich Mountain took place in Randolph County during the American Civil War. Union troops under the command of General George B. McClellan defeated Confederate forces, securing control of a key mountain pass.

2. The iconic Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs opened its doors on July 28, 1913. The luxury hotel, which has hosted numerous U.S. presidents and international dignitaries, is set on 11,000 acres and features world-class amenities including a casino, golf courses, and a spa.

3. On July 28, 1937, the West Virginia State Police was officially established, becoming the fourth state police force in the United States. The agency is responsible for enforcing state laws and serving as a highway patrol.

4. The infamous Silver Bridge collapse occurred on December 15, 1967, killing 46 people. However, the tragedy was foreshadowed on July 28, 1966, when the bridge experienced a notable structural failure. The incident prompted a federal investigation that ultimately revealed the bridge's design and construction to be major factors in the collapse.

5. On July 28, 2020, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice announced that the state had achieved record numbers of COVID-19 testing and contact tracing, with over 35,000 tests conducted in a single day. This milestone came amid a surge in cases across the state, prompting the governor to implement mask mandates and other protective measures to slow the spread of the virus.