Today In History
5 Fun Facts About August 15 In West Virginia History
1. Statehood Day - August 15, 1863, is the day West Virginia officially became a state after separating from Virginia during the Civil War. It is celebrated as Statehood Day and is a public holiday in West Virginia. 2. Battle of Carnifex Ferry - On August 15, 1861, Union troops...
5 Fun Facts About August 14 In West Virginia History
1. On August 14, 1861, the Battle of Carnifex Ferry took place in Nicholas County, West Virginia. It was a key Union victory that prevented Confederate forces from advancing further into the state. 2. In 1935, the first Mountain State Forest Festival was held in Elkins, West Virginia on August...
5 Fun Facts About August 13 In West Virginia History
1. The first major battle of the Civil War in West Virginia took place on August 13, 1861, at the Battle of Kessler's Cross Lanes. Union troops under Brig. Gen. Jacob Cox were forced to retreat by Confederate forces under Brig. Gen. John B. Floyd. 2. On August 13, 1913,...
5 Fun Facts About August 12 In West Virginia History
1. On August 12, 1817, the first steamboat to navigate the Kanawha River arrived at Charleston, West Virginia. The boat, named "The Enterprise", traveled from Pittsburgh carrying passengers and cargo. 2. West Virginia became the 35th state on August 12, 1863, during the Civil War. It was created when the...
5 Fun Facts About August 11 In West Virginia History
1. 1864 - Battle of Folck’s Mill: A Civil War skirmish took place near Beverly, WV. Confederate forces led by Gen. Bradley Johnson attacked Union army troops under Col. David T. Webster. The Union forces were able to hold the Confederate attack and ended up pushing them back. 2. 1925...
5 Fun Facts About August 10 In West Virginia History
1. In 1912, the first female member was admitted to the West Virginia State Bar. Her name was Anna D. Foster. 2. On August 10, 1921, the Battle of Blair Mountain began. This was one of the largest labor uprisings in US history. Nearly 10,000 coal miners banded together to...
5 Fun Facts About August 9 In West Virginia History
1. On August 9, 1861, the Battle of Kesslers Cross Lanes took place in Nicholas County, West Virginia, during the American Civil War. The Union Army was defeated by Confederate forces, which led to the capture of Union troops and a significant setback for the Union Army's early efforts in...
5 Fun Facts About August 8 In West Virginia History
1. In 1921, one of the worst floods in United States history devastated the state of West Virginia, causing over 500 deaths and leaving thousands homeless. August 8 was one of the days in which the rainfall was most severe, with some areas receiving over a foot of rain in...
5 Fun Facts About August 7 In West Virginia History
1. The Battle of Point Pleasant: On August 7, 1774, the Battle of Point Pleasant, also known as the Battle of Kanawha, took place between Virginia militia and Native American tribes, including the Shawnee and Mingo. This battle is considered by many to be the first battle of the American...
5 Fun Facts About August 6 In West Virginia History
1. On August 6, 1890, John Henry, a legendary African American railroad worker, died in a mining accident in Lewis Tunnel, West Virginia. His story inspired countless songs, including the famous ballad "John Henry," and has become a symbol of the strength and tenacity of the American worker. 2. August...
5 Fun Facts About August 5 In West Virginia History
1. WV Statehood Day: On August 5, 1863, West Virginia became the 35th state in the United States. This day is celebrated annually as Statehood Day and is a public holiday in the state. 2. First State Capitol: The first West Virginia State Capitol building was dedicated on August 5,...
5 Fun Facts About August 4 In West Virginia History
1) On August 4, 1917, the West Virginia state police was formally organized. The force was created in response to the labor unrest in the coal mines, and was designed to suppress strikes and protect property. 2) In 1930, on August 4, the first public swimming pool in the state,...