1. On May 19, 1864, Confederate General John C. Breckinridge led his forces into battle against Union troops in what became known as the Battle of New Market. The battle was significant as it led to a Confederate victory and allowed them to hold onto the Shenandoah Valley, a crucial Confederate supply line.

2. In 1930, the first daily newspaper in West Virginia, The Charleston Gazette-Mail, was published on May 19th. The newspaper has since become the largest daily newspaper in the state, serving the greater Charleston area.

3. On May 19, 1943, the West Virginia State Police was created by the state legislature. The State Police is responsible for enforcing state laws and providing assistance to local law enforcement agencies.

4. In 1988, the West Virginia Supreme Court ruled on a landmark case involving mining company regulation. The case, known as "Zummo v. Marfork Coal Co.", established the right of citizens to sue mining companies for environmental damage caused by mining operations.

5. May 19, 1992, saw the final legal resolution of the "Matewan Massacre" case. The event occurred in 1920 when a shootout took place in a small town during a miner’s strike, resulting in the deaths of several people. The case was finally settled when the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the families of the victims were entitled to compensation for their losses.