1. In 1863, West Virginia became the 35th state of the United States. The state was originally part of Virginia, but after the outbreak of the Civil War, residents of the western counties sought to form their own state, which was granted by President Abraham Lincoln.

2. On June 1, 1921, the town of Matewan in Mingo County became the site of a deadly labor dispute between striking coal miners and the Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency, hired by the coal company. The conflict resulted in a shootout and the deaths of 10 people, including seven detectives and three miners.

3. In 1962, the New River Gorge Bridge, one of the largest single-span steel arch bridges in the world, opened to traffic in Fayette County. The bridge spans 3,030 feet and crosses the New River Gorge, which is a popular destination for whitewater rafting and rock climbing.

4. On June 1, 1985, the West Virginia Mountaineers men's basketball team won its first and only NCAA Championship, defeating the Georgetown Hoyas 66-64. The victory was a historic moment for the state and remains a proud moment for Mountaineer fans.

5. In 2012, West Virginia was hit by a severe derecho storm that caused widespread power outages and property damage. The storm, which lasted for several hours, produced winds of up to 80 mph and resulted in 22 deaths statewide. Many West Virginians recall this event as a reminder of the power of nature and the importance of preparedness.