1) On January 26, 1788, the Virginia General Assembly ratified the United States Constitution, making Virginia the 10th state to join the Union.

2) On January 26, 1863, the Civil War Battle of Kelly's Ford took place in Culpeper County, Virginia. It was one of the earliest cavalry clashes of the war, and marked the first time that Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart was seriously challenged.

3) On January 26, 1926, legendary dancer Martha Graham made her debut performance in Virginia at the Lyric Theatre in Richmond. Graham would go on to become one of the most influential figures in modern dance.

4) On January 26, 1952, Richmond's WTVR-TV became the first television station in Virginia, launching as a CBS affiliate. Today, it is the oldest continuously-operating TV station in the state.

5) On January 26, 2001, Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore signed into law a bill designating "Shenandoah Valley" as the official state song of Virginia. The song, written by composer James Bland in 1861, celebrates the natural beauty of the region and has become a beloved anthem for Virginians.