1. The Battle of Charleston occurred on May 12, 1862, during the American Civil War. Union forces defeated Confederate troops, securing control of the Kanawha Valley in western Virginia, which helped secure the region for the Union.

2. On May 12, 1907, the United Mine Workers of America went on strike in West Virginia, demanding better wages and safer working conditions for coal miners. The strike lasted for several months and saw violent clashes between miners and mine owners, resulting in the deaths of over 50 people.

3. Wheeling Jesuit University, now known as Wheeling University, was established on May 12, 1954. It is a private, Catholic university located in Wheeling, West Virginia.

4. The New River Gorge Bridge, one of the largest single-span arch bridges in the world, was dedicated on May 12, 1977. The bridge spans the New River Gorge near Fayetteville, West Virginia, and is a popular destination for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts.

5. On May 12, 2011, the Upper Big Branch mine explosion occurred in Raleigh County, West Virginia, killing 29 miners. The disaster was the deadliest coal mining accident in the United States in 40 years and led to increased scrutiny of mine safety regulations.