1. In 1864, the Battle of New Market Heights took place during the American Civil War. Union forces consisting largely of African American soldiers made a courageous charge towards Confederate fortifications, suffering heavy losses but ultimately helping to breach the defenses.
2. On February 1, 1929, the Byrd Theatre opened in Richmond, Virginia. This historic movie palace boasts both Art Deco and Spanish Baroque design elements and remains a popular destination for moviegoers today.
3. One of Virginia's most infamous criminal cases began on February 1, 1990. Jesse Matthew Jr. was charged with the abduction and murder of University of Virginia student Hannah Graham in 2014, as well as the 2009 disappearance and murder of Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington.
4. In 1939, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts opened its doors in Richmond. Today, the museum boasts an extensive collection of art from around the world spanning thousands of years, as well as frequent temporary exhibits.
5. On this day in 1960, a passenger train called the Silver Star derailed near Danville, Virginia. The accident killed 14 people and injured more than 100 others, making it one of the deadliest train wrecks in Virginia history.