1. On November 16, 1776, Virginia's first constitution was adopted in Williamsburg. It established a permanent state government and declared independence from Britain.

2. In 1864, during the American Civil War, Union General Philip Sheridan led his troops on a decisive victory against Confederate General Jubal Early in the Battle of Cedar Creek. The battle was fought near Middletown, Virginia, and resulted in a significant shift in favor of the Union.

3. On November 16, 1907, a coal mine explosion in Monongah, West Virginia, killed over 360 people. Many of the miners were from Virginia, and the disaster led to increased safety regulations in the mining industry.

4. In 1929, Camille Cosby, the wife of comedian Bill Cosby, was born in Alexandria, Virginia. She later became an educator and philanthropist, supporting various causes including literacy and the arts.

5. On November 16, 2007, Virginia Tech dedicated its newly built Center for the Arts. The center features multiple performance venues, including a large theater and smaller studios, and serves as a hub for creative and cultural events on campus and in the surrounding community.