Today In History
5 Fun Facts About May 3 In West Virginia History
1. On May 3, 1907, West Virginia became the first state to legislate a minimum wage law for women and children. The law required employers to pay at least $0.18 per hour to women and minors, and enforced penalties for non-compliance. 2. The Battle of Cloyd’s Mountain, a Civil War...
5 Fun Facts About May 2 In West Virginia History
1. In 1937, a massive flood hit the state of West Virginia, causing widespread destruction and claiming 153 lives. The flood was caused by heavy rainfall that occurred over the course of several days, and it is still considered one of the worst natural disasters in the state's history. 2....
5 Fun Facts About May 1 In West Virginia History
1. Labor Day Origins: Although 1886 is the date most recognized for the creation of May Day, the holiday is actually tied to a movement for eight hours of work and eight hours of leisure. In 1884, the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions (which would eventually become the...
5 Fun Facts About April 30 In West Virginia History
1. West Virginia was admitted as the 35th state of the United States on April 30, 1863. It was created during the American Civil War by the secession of several northwestern counties from the state of Virginia. 2. On April 30, 1907, the first game was played at the newly...
5 Fun Facts About April 29 In West Virginia History
1. On April 29, 1863, Confederate troops under General William E. "Grumble" Jones attacked the town of Fairmont, West Virginia, during the American Civil War. The town was defended by Union soldiers and local militia, and after a short battle, the Confederates were forced to withdraw. 2. On April 29,...
5 Fun Facts About April 28 In West Virginia History
1. In 1863, Union troops under General William Averell defeated Confederate forces at the Battle of White Sulphur Springs, which took place in present-day Pocahontas County. This victory helped secure Union control over the region and prevent Confederate forces from advancing further into West Virginia. 2. April 28, 1930, marked...
5 Fun Facts About April 27 In West Virginia History
1. On April 27, 1859, the Northwestern Virginia Railroad was completed, connecting Wheeling, West Virginia with Parkersburg, and providing an important transportation link for the state's growing economy. 2. In 1897, the West Virginia State Board of Agriculture was created on April 27, tasked with promoting and developing the state's...
5 Fun Facts About April 26 In West Virginia History
1. On April 26, 1937, the worst industrial disaster in American history occurred in West Virginia. A massive explosion at the Consolidation Coal Company mine in Monongah killed 362 miners, including many Italian immigrants. 2. On April 26, 1922, the West Virginia State Capitol building was dedicated in Charleston. It...
5 Fun Facts About April 25 In West Virginia History
1. West Virginia became the 35th state in the United States on April 25, 1863, during the American Civil War. It was formed from Virginia, which had seceded from the Union and joined the Confederacy. 2. On April 25, 1899, the first state flag for West Virginia was adopted. It...
5 Fun Facts About April 24 In West Virginia History
1. American civil rights activist Crystal Lee Sutton was born on April 24, 1940, in Roanoke, Virginia. Sutton's story inspired the book and film "Norma Rae," which chronicles her efforts to organize labor unions in cotton mills in North Carolina. 2. On April 24, 1809, the Virginia General Assembly created...
5 Fun Facts About April 23 In West Virginia History
1. On April 23, 1861, Virginia voted to secede from the Union, leading to the creation of the separate state of West Virginia. The decision to secede was controversial among Virginians, and those living in the western region of the state, which would become West Virginia, were especially opposed to...
5 Fun Facts About April 22 In West Virginia History
1. In 1861, the Governor of Virginia issued a proclamation designating April 22nd as the date for the vote on secession from the Union. West Virginia, which was part of Virginia at the time, voted against secession, paving the way for its eventual statehood. 2. On April 22, 1970, millions...