1. On June 9, 1781, the Battle of Great Bridge occurred in present-day Chesapeake, Virginia. This was a significant battle during the Revolutionary War, as it led to the retreat of British forces in the area.

2. Virginia is home to some of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the country, and on June 9, 1819, the University of Virginia was founded by Thomas Jefferson in Charlottesville. Today, UVA is consistently ranked as one of the top public universities in the nation.

3. During the Civil War, many battles and skirmishes took place in Virginia. On June 9, 1863, Confederate forces under the command of General J.E.B. Stuart clashed with Union forces under the command of General David Gregg in the Battle of Brandy Station. This was one of the largest cavalry battles of the war.

4. Virginia has a rich literary history, and on June 9, 1937, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alan Paton was born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Paton is best known for his novel Cry, the Beloved Country, which explores the racial and social tensions of South Africa during apartheid.

5. Finally, on June 9, 1963, the Port of Virginia was officially established. Today, it is one of the busiest ports on the East Coast, handling a wide range of cargo from around the world.