1. Birthday of Pearl Buck - On March 24, 1892, Pearl Buck, the first American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, was born in Hillsboro, West Virginia. Buck is best known for her novel "The Good Earth," which depicts the life of Chinese peasants and earned her the Pulitzer Prize in 1932.

2. West Virginia's Statehood Day - On March 24, 1863, West Virginia became the 35th state to join the Union during the Civil War. This decision was controversial at the time, as it involved the partition of the state of Virginia and the creation of a new state within its borders.

3. Coal Mine Explosion in Monongah - On December 6, 1907, the worst coal mine disaster in United States history occurred in Monongah, West Virginia, killing 362 people. It is believed that this tragedy was caused by a combination of factors, including the buildup of combustible gases and unsafe working conditions.

4. Birth of Clark W. Fobes - On March 24, 1948, Clark W. Fobes, a renowned clarinetist and educator, was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Fobes has performed with major orchestras and chamber groups around the world and has also designed his own line of clarinet mouthpieces.

5. The Battle of Droop Mountain - On November 6, 1863, one of the last battles of the Civil War in West Virginia took place at Droop Mountain in Greenbrier County. Union forces, led by General William Averell, defeated Confederate troops and secured control of the region. The battle marked a turning point in the war in West Virginia, leading to the eventual defeat of the Confederacy in the state.