1. West Virginia Constitution Day: September 17, 1862, marks the day when delegates from 50 western Virginia counties met in Wheeling, Virginia, to create a constitution that would eventually lead to the creation of the state of West Virginia.

2. First Battle of Winchester: During the American Civil War on September 17, 1862, Confederate forces under General Richard Ewell defeated Union forces led by General Robert Milroy at the First Battle of Winchester in Virginia. The battle resulted in the capture of over 4,000 Union soldiers.

3. Shepherdstown is founded: On September 17, 1762, Thomas Shepherd became the first person to receive a land grant from the Fairfax family, leading to the founding of Shepherdstown. Shepherdstown is now the oldest town in West Virginia.

4. Coal Industry impacts: On September 17, 1890, a coal mine explosion occurred in Osage, West Virginia, killing 25 miners. The tragedy highlights the dangerous conditions experienced by miners during the height of the coal industry in West Virginia.

5. Birth of an Olympic gold medalist: On September 17, 1949, Mary Lou Retton, a native of Fairmont, West Virginia was born. Retton went on to become the first woman from outside Eastern Europe to win the Olympic all-around gymnastics title during the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.