1. Virginia was one of the 13 original colonies that declared independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776. However, it wasn't until July 14, 1788 that Virginia officially became the 10th state to ratify the new US Constitution, joining the federal union.

2. On July 14, 1861, the First Battle of Bull Run (also known as the First Battle of Manassas) took place in Prince William County, Virginia. This was the first major battle of the American Civil War and resulted in a Confederate victory.

3. Virginia played a significant role in the American Revolution, and on July 14, 1781, French troops under the command of General Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, arrived in Newport News, Virginia. This marked a turning point in the war and eventually led to the surrender of British forces at Yorktown in October 1781.

4. On July 14, 1954, the Supreme Court of the United States handed down its landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education. The ruling declared that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, ending the legal basis for segregation in Virginia and other states.

5. July 14 is also National Virginia Day, a day to celebrate the state's history, culture, and people. The day was first observed in 1948 and is marked by events, activities, and festivals across the state.