1. West Virginia became a state - On September 16, 1862, West Virginia officially became the 35th state in the United States. It was formed during the Civil War as a breakaway region of Virginia that supported the Union.

2. The Battle of Carnifex Ferry - In 1861, the Battle of Carnifex Ferry took place on September 10-11, but the Union victory was not confirmed until September 16. The battle was a key moment in the early stages of the war in West Virginia.

3. The St. Francis Dam disaster - On September 16, 1940, the St. Francis Dam in Los Angeles, California failed and caused a devastating flood that killed over 400 people. Among the victims were two West Virginia residents who had moved to California.

4. The West Virginia State Police was formed - On September 16, 1919, the West Virginia State Police was established by an act of the state legislature. The force was created to combat bootlegging and other illegal activities during Prohibition.

5. The Buchanan County Murder - On September 16, 1876, the Buchanan County Murder took place near Grundy, Virginia. The crime involved a group of men from West Virginia who killed five members of a prominent Virginia family. The crime shocked the region and led to a massive manhunt for the perpetrators.