1. On May 13, 1775, the Virginia Assembly authorized the creation of two military companies to defend the frontier against Native American attacks. This was a significant step in the buildup to the American Revolution, as the frontier was a key battleground in the conflict.

2. On May 13, 1862, Confederate General Stonewall Jackson won a decisive victory at the Battle of McDowell, near present-day Highland County, Virginia. The battle is considered one of the most significant Confederate victories in the Shenandoah Valley during the Civil War.

3. May 13, 1907, marked the opening of Sulphur Springs, a popular resort in the Allegheny Mountains. The resort was known for its healing waters and attracted visitors from around the world until it closed in the 1960s.

4. On May 13, 1930, New River Gorge Bridge construction began in Fayetteville, West Virginia. At the time of its completion in 1977, it was the longest steel arch bridge in the world and it remains an iconic landmark of West Virginia.

5. The West Virginia state legislature designated May 13 as "Statehood Day" in honor of the state's admission to the Union on that date in 1863, becoming the 35th state. To this day, West Virginians celebrate Statehood Day with parades, festivals, and other events.