1. On June 18, 1863, Confederate General Robert E. Lee ordered General Jubal Early to clear the Shenandoah Valley of Union troops. This led to the Battle of Winchester, which occurred the following day and resulted in a Confederate victory.

2. In 1927, the father of West Virginia basketball, Gale Catlett, was born in Harts, West Virginia. Catlett went on to coach the WVU basketball team from 1978-2002, leading them to 13 NCAA Tournament appearances.

3. On June 18, 1971, a plane carrying members of the West Virginia Thundering Herd football team crashed near Huntington, WV, killing all 75 passengers, including the entire coaching staff and 37 players. This tragedy remains one of the worst in the history of college sports.

4. The West Virginia State Capitol building was dedicated on June 18, 1932. It was designed by architect Cass Gilbert, who also designed the famous Woolworth Building in New York City.

5. On June 18, 1908, the first glass factory in the United States to use natural gas was established in Moundsville, WV. This allowed for more efficient production and helped establish the state's reputation as a major producer of glassware.