1. On August 16, 1901, the town of Grafton became the location of the first Mother’s Day celebration in West Virginia. Anna Jarvis, the founder of Mother’s Day, organized a memorial for her mother at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton.

2. In 1921, on August 16, more than 10,000 spectators attended the opening of the West Virginia State Fair in Lewisburg. The fair continues to be a popular annual event in West Virginia.

3. The Civil War Battle of Carnifex Ferry took place on August 16, 1861, near Summersville. It was a significant Union victory, and it prevented Confederate forces from advancing further into western Virginia.

4. On August 16, 1937, the West Virginia state legislature established the State Park system, which led to the creation of some of West Virginia's most popular outdoor recreational areas, including Kanawha State Forest and Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park.

5. The West Virginia state symbol, the rhododendron, was officially adopted on August 16, 1903. The flowers are known for their pink and purple colors and are found throughout the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia.