1. In 1861, West Virginia became the 35th state to join the Union, during the midst of the Civil War.

2. On June 25, 1900, the town of Bramwell was incorporated. Located in Mercer County, Bramwell was once known as the “Billion Dollar Coalfield” and was a major producer of coal during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

3. In 1922, Fairmont State Normal School (now Fairmont State University) was established in Fairmont, West Virginia. Today, the university offers over 90 different degree programs.

4. On June 25, 1927, Dolly Parton was born in Sevier County, Tennessee. Although not a native West Virginian, Parton’s music and legacy have had a significant impact on the state, particularly through the annual Dollywood theme park in neighboring Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

5. In 1985, residents of Wheeling, West Virginia unveiled a statue of Michael Owens, a pioneering inventor in the field of glassmaking. Owens, who was born and raised in Wheeling, revolutionized the glassmaking industry with his invention of the automatic bottle-making machine, which allowed for faster and more efficient production of glass bottles.