1. In 1873, John Kenna was inaugurated as a U.S. Senator from West Virginia. Kenna, a lawyer and former Confederate soldier, served in the Senate until his death in 1893.

2. The historic Prickett's Fort was established on February 25, 1975 in Marion County, West Virginia. The fort, which was originally built in the late 1700s as a response to Native American attacks, is now a popular tourist destination and living history museum.

3. On February 25, 1865, the West Virginia Legislature passed a bill to create the state's first public school system. The legislation required every county to establish a system of free public schools, and began the process of making education a priority in the state.

4. In 1914, the town of Thurmond, West Virginia, was incorporated on February 25. Thurmond, located in Fayette County, became a thriving railroad town during the early 20th century, but the decline of the coal industry led to its eventual decline.

5. The West Virginia State Penitentiary in Moundsville, West Virginia, had its first execution by electric chair on February 25, 1951. The prison, which opened in 1867, was known for its harsh conditions and numerous executions before it was closed in 1995.