Today In History
5 Fun Facts About August 19 In West Virginia History
1. The Battle of Scary Creek: On August 19, 1861, the Battle of Scary Creek took place in what is now West Virginia. This was one of the early battles of the Civil War and was fought between Union forces under the command of General Jacob Cox and Confederate forces...
5 Fun Facts About August 18 In West Virginia History
August 18 is an important date in West Virginia's rich history. From the birth of influential figures to the creation of important landmarks, the state has a lot to celebrate on this day. Here are five interesting facts about August 18 in West Virginia history. 1. West Virginia State Fair...
5 Fun Facts About August 17 In West Virginia History
1. On August 17, 1807, the Virginia State Legislature officially created the county of Kanawha from a portion of Greenbrier County. The county's namesake, the Kanawha River, played a critical role in the region's economic development, serving as a major transportation artery for coal and timber. 2. The Battle of...
5 Fun Facts About August 16 In West Virginia History
1. On August 16, 1901, the town of Grafton became the location of the first Mother’s Day celebration in West Virginia. Anna Jarvis, the founder of Mother’s Day, organized a memorial for her mother at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton. 2. In 1921, on August 16, more than 10,000...
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...