1. On October 11, 1751, the Virginia General Assembly enacted a law that established the town of Alexandria. The town was founded by Scottish merchant John Carlyle and French merchant Philip Alexander.

2. On October 11, 1861, Union General George B. McClellan occupied the town of Hampton in Virginia during the Civil War. The town had been abandoned by Confederate troops, and McClellan saw it as a strategic location for his Union troops.

3. On October 11, 1922, the Virginia Military Institute dedicated its new stadium, named Alumni Memorial Field. The stadium has since undergone several renovations and expansions and is home to the VMI Keydets football team.

4. On October 11, 1945, Virginia native George C. Marshall was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in creating the Marshall Plan. The plan was a post-World War II initiative that aimed to rebuild and strengthen Europe through financial aid from the United States.

5. On October 11, 2002, Virginia Governor Mark Warner dedicated the Virginia Civil Rights Memorial in Richmond. The memorial honors the men and women who fought for civil rights in Virginia, including Oliver Hill, Barbara Johns, and Virginia Randolph.