1. Birth of Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr: On July 15, 1577, Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr, was born in Wherwell, Hampshire, England. He would later serve as a colonial governor of Virginia, and the state's first permanent English settlement, Jamestown, was located in his governing territory.

2. Virginia ratifies the Bill of Rights: On July 15, 1791, Virginia became the eleventh state to ratify the Bill of Rights, which includes the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. These amendments protect individual freedoms and limit government power.

3. Civil War Battle of Cool Spring: On July 15, 1864, the Civil War Battle of Cool Spring took place near Charles Town, West Virginia, but within spitting distance of the Virginia border. Confederate forces, led by General Jubal A. Early, attempted to drive Union forces out of the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia but were ultimately unsuccessful.

4. Virginia's Department of Transportation is formed: On July 15, 1970, Virginia established its own Department of Transportation (VDOT), taking over transportation responsibilities from the Virginia Department of Highways. VDOT oversees the state's highways, bridges, tunnels, airports, seaports, railroads, public transportation, and pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure.

5. New Virginia flag adopted: On July 15, 1981, Virginia Governor John Dalton signed legislation adopting a new official state flag, which replaced a controversial design featuring the Confederate battle flag. The new flag features the state seal on a blue field.