1. Battle of Rich Mountain: On September 30, 1861, the Union Army won a crucial victory over Confederate forces in the Battle of Rich Mountain. This victory helped secure western Virginia for the Union and was a turning point in the Civil War.

2. Governor Wise's Proclamation: In 1859, Virginia Governor Henry A. Wise wrote a proclamation offering a $500 reward for the capture of John Brown, who was responsible for the raid on Harpers Ferry. This proclamation helped turn public opinion against Brown and justified his execution.

3. Shepherdstown Train Derailment: On September 30, 1905, a train carrying West Virginia University football players derailed near Shepherdstown, killing 17 players and injuring many others. This tragedy led to stricter safety regulations for college sports teams.

4. Mark Tobey Exhibition: In 1965, the Huntington Galleries (now the Huntington Museum of Art) hosted an exhibition of works by Mark Tobey, a renowned abstract painter. This was one of the first major exhibitions of Tobey's work in the United States and helped establish him as a major figure in modern art.

5. Coal Miners' Strike: In 1949, thousands of coal miners in West Virginia went on strike in protest of low wages and unsafe working conditions. The strike lasted for over a month and eventually led to concessions from the mine owners. This strike helped set the stage for labor activism in the state and inspired similar strikes throughout the country.