1. West Virginia officially became a state on October 7, 1863, after breaking away from Virginia during the Civil War. This made it the 35th state to join the Union.
2. On October 7, 1913, the first concrete was poured for the construction of the Hawks Nest Tunnel, a major engineering feat of its time. The tunnel was completed in 1930 and is still in use today.
3. In 1966, the West Virginia Centennial was celebrated on October 7th. This marked 100 years since the state's creation in 1863.
4. On October 7, 1948, the Marshall University football team played their first game as a member of the Mid-American Conference. They lost to Ohio University, but the game marked the beginning of a new era for Marshall football.
5. In 1985, the New River Gorge Bridge was dedicated on October 7th. At the time of its completion, it was the longest steel arch bridge in the world and is now a popular tourist destination and site for BASE jumping events.