1. In 1862, on March 8th, the Confederate Army retreated from Manassas, Virginia in what is known as the "Great Skedaddle." This retreat brought an end to the first Confederate offensive of the Civil War.

2. On March 8, 1917, Virginia women marched on the state capitol in support of Women's Suffrage. This was just a few months before the 19th Amendment was passed, giving women the right to vote.

3. In 1933, on March 8th, the infamous "scorched earth policy" was implemented in Virginia as part of the New Deal. This policy involved intentionally destroying crops and livestock to reduce supply and increase prices, with the aim of helping struggling farmers.

4. On March 8, 1949, Virginia became the first state in the south to pass a law mandating school desegregation. This was a major step forward in the Civil Rights movement, even though full integration was not achieved until many years later.

5. In 2017, on March 8th, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe signed an executive order that banned discrimination against state employees on the basis of gender identity. This was a significant move in protecting the rights of transgender individuals in Virginia.