1. In 1907, the first-ever New Year's Eve ball drop in the United States took place in Morgan Square in Parkersburg, West Virginia. The tradition continues to this day, with thousands of people gathering in the square each year to watch the ball drop and ring in the new year.

2. On December 30, 1862, Confederate troops under the command of General William Loring captured Buckhannon, West Virginia. The town switched hands several times throughout the Civil War, but this was one of the most significant battles of the conflict in the state.

3. December 30, 1864, marked the end of the Battle of Saltville, one of the last major engagements of the Civil War in Virginia and West Virginia. The battle was fought over control of the salt mines in Saltville, Virginia, which were critical to the Confederate war effort.

4. On December 30, 1897, the West Virginia State Capitol building was completed in Charleston. The building, which features a stunning golden dome, is an iconic landmark of the city and the state.

5. In 1977, the tragic Silver Bridge collapse occurred on December 15, but the recovery efforts continued for weeks afterwards. On December 30, the last body was recovered from the Ohio River, bringing the toll of the disaster to 46 people. The event led to major changes in bridge safety regulations across the country.