1. In 1780, the Battle of Kings Mountain took place at the North Carolina-South Carolina border during the American Revolution. Many Virginia soldiers fought in this battle and played a crucial role in the Patriot victory.

2. In 1858, Virginia Governor Henry Wise spoke at the execution of abolitionist John Brown, who led a failed raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry. Wise famously declared, "Puritanism, abolitionism, and infidelity have caused this trouble. They have produced this effect and it is only just that they should suffer the punishment."

3. In 1916, the Virginia State Flag was officially adopted by the Virginia General Assembly. The flag features the state seal in the center on a blue background, with a banner reading "Virginia" above and a spray of Virginia's official state flower (the American Dogwood) below.

4. In 1949, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts opened in Richmond. The museum's collection includes works by many famous artists such as Pablo Picasso, Rembrandt, and Frida Kahlo.

5. In 2017, Governor Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency ahead of a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The rally turned violent, resulting in the death of counter-protester Heather Heyer and injuring many others. The incident brought national attention to the ongoing discussion of racial tension in America.