1. On September 4, 1781, French troops under the command of Comte de Rochambeau arrived in Virginia to join forces with the Continental Army in the fight against the British. This helped turn the tide of the Revolutionary War in favor of the Americans.

2. On September 4, 1830, the first regularly scheduled passenger train in Virginia began operating between Richmond and Petersburg. This marked a major milestone in the state's transportation history.

3. On September 4, 1927, the Great Dismal Swamp Fire began in southeastern Virginia. The blaze would last for weeks and consume over 50,000 acres of land, causing extensive damage to wildlife and timber resources.

4. On September 4, 1957, the first African American student enrolled at William & Mary Law School in Williamsburg, Virginia. This was a significant moment in the civil rights movement and helped pave the way for greater diversity in higher education.

5. On September 4, 2018, Hurricane Florence made landfall near Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, bringing heavy rains and strong winds to Virginia and other parts of the East Coast. The storm caused widespread flooding and wind damage, resulting in billions of dollars in property damage and numerous fatalities.