1. In 1847, the Virginia Military Institute held its first graduation ceremony on November 24, with 14 cadets receiving their diplomas. Today, VMI remains one of the most prestigious military colleges in the country.

2. On November 24, 1936, Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk became the first public high school for African American students in the city. The school was named after the famous educator and author, who was born into slavery in Virginia.

3. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy visited Richmond on November 24 to deliver a speech commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. The speech focused on the importance of civil rights and equality for all Americans.

4. On November 24, 1985, L. Douglas Wilder was elected as the first African American governor in Virginia and the first African American governor in the United States. Wilder served as governor from 1990 to 1994 and made significant strides in education, economic development, and transportation.

5. In 2015, the historic Jamestown Settlement in Virginia celebrated its 409th anniversary on November 24. The settlement, which was established by English colonists in 1607, marks the beginning of the first permanent English settlement in the Americas. Today, Jamestown Settlement is a living history museum that allows visitors to explore life in early America.