1. In 1864, Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart was mortally wounded during the Battle of Yellow Tavern near Richmond. Stuart was a highly-respected cavalry commander and his death dealt a blow to the Confederate Army.

2. In 1865, Union General Emory Upton began his assault on the Confederate defenses at Spotsylvania Courthouse. Despite heavy losses, Upton's attack was a remarkable feat of bravery and innovation in warfare.

3. In 1933, the Virginia State Capitol was officially dedicated in Richmond. Designed by Thomas Jefferson, the building is a masterpiece of neoclassical architecture and is still used as the seat of Virginia's government today.

4. In 1957, Governor Thomas B. Stanley signed legislation establishing the Virginia Community College System. Today, the system includes 23 colleges and serves more than 245,000 students each year.

5. In 2005, the Virginia Supreme Court upheld a state law banning same-sex marriage. The decision was controversial and sparked public debate about LGBT rights and the role of the state in regulating marriage.