1. In 1781, the Battle of Yorktown ended in Virginia, marking the last major battle of the American Revolution. American and French forces, led by General George Washington, defeated British General Charles Cornwallis, securing American independence.

2. On October 29, 1892, Martha Washington College, now known as Emory & Henry College, burned down. The historic college, located in Emory, Virginia, was rebuilt and reopened the following year.

3. In 1901, Virginia Military Institute (VMI) football player Addison 'Fatty' Lumpkin scored six touchdowns in a game against Roanoke College, setting a VMI record that still stands today.

4. On October 29, 1929, the stock market crashed, leading to the Great Depression. The impact of the crash was felt across the country, including in Virginia, where businesses and families struggled to make ends meet.

5. In 1987, Virginia Governor Gerald Baliles signed a bill officially designating the oyster as Virginia's state shell. The Chesapeake Bay is home to some of the world's best oysters, and Virginia continues to be a major player in the domestic and international oyster market.