1. In 1863, West Virginia officially became the 35th state in the United States. This followed the Civil War and the division of Virginia, which led to the formation of a new state that aligned more closely with Union values.

2. The town of Matewan, West Virginia, became infamous in 1920 for the Battle of Matewan, a violent conflict between striking coal miners and hired guns. The incident was a major event in the West Virginia Mine Wars, which saw workers struggling to gain better pay and safer working conditions.

3. On November 20, 1985, the state of West Virginia officially designated the black bear as the state animal. These animals are common in the state's forests, and are a popular attraction for tourists and hunters alike.

4. Morgantown, West Virginia, is home to West Virginia University, which was founded on November 20, 1867. The university is the largest in the state, with over 29,000 students enrolled.

5. On November 20, 1970, the Marshall University football team was involved in a plane crash that killed 75 people, including players, coaches, and fans. The tragedy is remembered as one of the worst disasters in American sports history, and is commemorated in a number of ways throughout the state.