1. West Virginia became a state on May 29, 1863. Previously part of Virginia, West Virginia separated from the Confederacy during the Civil War and was admitted to the Union as the 35th state.

2. The West Virginia State Museum opened on May 29, 1976. Located in the state capital of Charleston, the museum showcases the history, culture, and natural resources of West Virginia.

3. The first brick house in West Virginia was built on May 29, 1794. Known as the Prickett's Fort Mansion, the home was constructed by Jacob Prickett and still stands today as a museum.

4. On May 29, 1928, a coal mine explosion in Farmington, West Virginia killed 78 miners. The disaster led to increased safety regulations and greater labor protections for miners.

5. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources was formed on May 29, 1989. The agency oversees the state's wildlife, fisheries, and parks, and works to conserve and protect West Virginia's natural resources.