1. On September 14, 1862, the Battle of South Mountain, a crucial engagement in the American Civil War, took place in Maryland, just over the border from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. West Virginia had achieved statehood just two months prior to the battle, and many of its residents fought in the Union army against Confederate forces.

2. In 1883, on September 14, the first train ran on the new standard-gauge railway line between Parkersburg, West Virginia and Columbus, Ohio. This line connected West Virginia's rich mineral resources with the steel mills of the Rust Belt, promoting industrial development and economic growth.

3. On September 14, 1924, the West Virginia State Police was created through the passage of the Strother Act. The new agency was established to combat rising crime and corruption in the state, and it remains an important institution tasked with protecting public safety to this day.

4. In 1984, on September 14, the West Virginia Legislature passed the "Hatfield-McCoy Trail System Act," creating a network of off-road vehicle trails across several southern West Virginia counties. This system has become a popular destination for outdoor recreation enthusiasts and has sparked economic growth in the region through tourism.

5. September 14, 2006 marked the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the West Virginia State Capitol building in Charleston. Designed by renowned architect Cass Gilbert, the Capitol is an iconic symbol of the state's government and history, featuring intricate Italian marble and West Virginia sandstone as well as a massive dome that dominates the city's skyline.