1. The First St. Patrick's Day Parade in Wheeling: In 1852, the first St. Patrick's Day parade in Wheeling was held, making it the oldest parade in the state of West Virginia. The parade has been a tradition in the city for over 150 years.

2. West Virginia Became a State: March 17, 1863, was the day West Virginia became a state, making it the 35th state in the United States. The state was formed during the Civil War because it disagreed with Virginia's support for the Confederacy.

3. Irish Heritage in West Virginia: There is a deep Irish heritage in West Virginia, with many residents tracing their heritage back to Ireland. In fact, there are several towns in the state that are named after Irish cities, such as Dublin and Shannon.

4. The West Virginia Statehood Stamp: To commemorate West Virginia's statehood, the US Post Office released a stamp on March 17, 1963. The stamp's design features the state's flower, the rhododendron, and the state's seal.

5. The Irish Curse: There is a famous legend in West Virginia called the "Irish Curse." It is said that if you find a four-leaf clover in West Virginia, you will be cursed with bad luck. The legend is believed to have originated from the large number of Irish immigrants who settled in the state and may have brought the tradition of the four-leaf clover with them.