1. On March 3, 1863, West Virginia became the 35th state to join the Union during the height of the American Civil War. It was the only state formed during the war and was created out of the western counties of Virginia that remained loyal to the Union.

2. One of West Virginia's most well-known politicians, Robert C. Byrd, was born on March 3, 1917, in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Byrd would go on to serve in the U.S. Senate for over 51 years, making him the longest-serving senator in U.S. history.

3. On March 3, 1938, the Hawks Nest Tunnel disaster occurred in West Virginia, which claimed the lives of over 400 workers who were exposed to high levels of silica dust while constructing the tunnel. The tragedy is considered one of the worst industrial disasters in U.S. history.

4. West Virginia University was established on March 3, 1867, as the Agricultural College of West Virginia, making it one of the oldest land-grant institutions in the country. Today, it is a major research university with a diverse student body and a wide range of academic programs.

5. Country music legend Patsy Cline, who was born in Virginia but raised in West Virginia, recorded her famous hit song "Crazy" on March 3, 1961. The song, written by Willie Nelson, became Cline's biggest hit and is now considered one of the greatest country songs of all time.