1. In 1862, the Battle of Saltville took place in Virginia, just over the border from West Virginia. Confederate troops, including cavalry led by General Albert G. Jenkins of Greenbrier County, faced a Union raiding party that attempted to destroy salt works and other Confederate industries. Though the Confederates ultimately won, Jenkins was wounded and forced to retreat to West Virginia, where he was later killed during another campaign.

2. In 1899, the West Virginia State Federation of Labor was founded in Huntington. The federation aimed to unite and protect workers across the state, and it played a key role in organizing strikes and lobbying for labor laws.

3. On September 28, 1957, the first Black student to attend West Virginia University, Garnet Jex, began classes. This was a significant moment in the civil rights movement, as West Virginia was one of the first Southern states to integrate its institutions of higher learning. Jex went on to have a successful career as a teacher and administrator in Baltimore.

4. In 1964, the town of Matewan in Mingo County was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Matewan is famous for its role in the West Virginia mine wars, including the Battle of Matewan in 1920, when striking miners clashed with hired detectives and local authorities. The battle ultimately led to the deaths of 10 people and sparked a wave of violence and unrest throughout the region.

5. On September 28, 2009, a major coal mining disaster occurred at the Upper Big Branch mine in Raleigh County. A massive explosion killed 29 miners and injured two others, making it one of the deadliest mining accidents in U.S. history. The tragedy sparked scrutiny of mining safety practices and led to a number of reforms and investigations.