1. John Brown's Raid: On November 30, 1859, abolitionist John Brown was executed in Charles Town, Virginia after leading a raid on the U.S. arsenal at Harper's Ferry. His raid and subsequent trial became a galvanizing event in the lead-up to the Civil War.

2. Virginia Statehood: On November 30, 1782, Virginia was officially recognized as a state by the Continental Congress. The state played a pivotal role in the founding of the United States, with its leaders including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison.

3. Founding of the College of William and Mary: On November 30, 1693, King William III and Queen Mary II of England granted a royal charter for the founding of the College of William and Mary in Virginia. It is the second-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, after Harvard University.

4. First Thanksgiving: On November 30, 1619, colonists in Virginia held a day of Thanksgiving to celebrate their safe arrival in the New World. This is often recognized as the first recorded Thanksgiving in what would become the United States.

5. Birth of Virginia Governor William Smith: On November 30, 1797, future Virginia governor William Smith was born in Marengo County, Alabama. Smith served two non-consecutive terms as governor during the mid-19th century and was notable for his support of Virginia's secession from the Union.