1. West Virginia became a state: One of the most significant events in West Virginia's history occurred on November 2, 1863, when the state officially became a member of the United States of America. At the time, Virginia had seceded from the Union, and the western counties of the state decided to form their own government and break away. Over time, they gained support and recognition, and on this day, they became a new state.

2. John Brown's raid: On November 2, 1859, abolitionist John Brown led a raid on the federal armory at Harper's Ferry, Virginia (which is now West Virginia). The aim was to seize weapons and ammunition to fuel a slave rebellion. Although the raid was unsuccessful, it was a turning point in the lead-up to the Civil War.

3. Marshall University plane crash: On November 14, 1970, a plane carrying the Marshall University football team crashed in Huntington, West Virginia, killing all 75 people on board. The tragedy has been commemorated in various ways over the years, including a movie (We Are Marshall) and a memorial fountain near the university's football stadium.

4. Wheeling Convention: In 1861, just a few months after West Virginia split from Virginia, a convention was held in Wheeling to establish the new state's government. The delegates drafted a document that became known as the "Restored Government of Virginia," as it claimed to represent the rightful representatives of the state's government. However, the legitimacy of the convention and its actions were a subject of controversy.

5. Presidential election: November 2, 2004, was the date of the presidential election in the United States, including West Virginia. The state went to George W. Bush, who won the electoral college but lost the popular vote to John Kerry. West Virginia has historically been a battleground state in presidential elections, with both parties making significant efforts to win over its voters.