1. In 1788, Virginia became the 10th state to ratify the United States Constitution, after a long and contentious debate among its citizens and political leaders. Virginia played a critical role in shaping the early American republic, as many of the country's most prominent Founding Fathers hailed from the state, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Patrick Henry.

2. On June 25, 1862, the Battle of Oak Grove occurred during the American Civil War. Union forces under General George B. McClellan engaged Confederate troops near Richmond in hopes of breaking through to the Confederate capital. Though the Union army suffered heavy casualties, they were able to advance and establish positions near Richmond.

3. In 1939, the Virginia State Library was officially designated as the Library of Virginia, serving as the state's central repository for government documents, historical records, and other important materials. The Library of Virginia has since become a vital resource for researchers, genealogists, and other members of the public interested in Virginia's rich history.

4. On June 25, 1948, Virginia Senator Harry F. Byrd Sr. launched his "Massive Resistance" campaign in response to a Supreme Court decision desegregating public schools. Byrd's campaign encouraged local leaders and citizens to resist desegregation efforts, leading to years of racial tension and violence in Virginia and other southern states.

5. In 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in favor of same-sex marriage in the landmark case Obergefell v. Hodges. The decision overturned Virginia's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and paved the way for legal recognition of same-sex couples across the country. This ruling was a major victory for the LGBTQ+ community and human rights advocates in Virginia and beyond.