Happy National West Virginia Day! Today we observe the 35th state to join the union back on June 20, 1863.
This eastern U.S. state is located in the tree-covered Appalachian Mountains. The town of Harpers Ferry, where the Shenandoah River meets the Potomac River, is the site of a famous Civil War–era raid.
Surrounded by a national historical park, the town looks as it did in the 19th century, with many of the buildings open to the public as living-history museums. It is also the last state to be created from one of the original thirteen colonies.
When Virginia voted to secede from the Union, Western Virginians held firmly to their Union loyalties, created their own constitution and approached Congress for statehood.
When West Virginia was admitted to the union in 1863, it was the only state formed from another state and one of two created during the Civil War.
The original thirteen colonies created a total of eighteen states. Vermont once was a part of New York. Kentucky was also once included in the colony of Virginia. Tennessee was formerly part of North Carolina. Maine and Massachusetts were joined at one time.
At Harpers Ferry, the North meets South. From American abolitionist John Brown’s rebellion to American Confederate general Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson’s Confederate victory, Harpers Ferry is ripe with abolition movements and Civil War History.
The Mountain State
West Virginia is dominated by three magnificent mountain ridges. The Allegheny, Appalachian and the Blue Ridge Mountains also provide the state with seventy-eight percent forest over its total terrain.
Within the rugged mountains, massive amounts of bituminous coal stores have made West Virginia the largest producer of coal east of the Mississippi River.
Not only do the West Virginia hills create spectacular views and jobs, but their natural landscape lends to small, isolated populations with deep roots.
Their culture and heritage can be heard infused in the thrum of a banjo or the lyrics of a gospel chorus. It also influences the warm earthy flavors of their cooking and inspires artisans to masterpieces.
Life moves at a slower pace in West Virginia. Time doesn’t exactly stand still, but if you’ll sit a while and listen to some of the folk stories, you might hear the tall tale about African-American folk hero John Henry and Big Bend Mountain.
Someone could take you mushroom hunting, or they might fry up a few and share with you what they found that morning. However, not very many are willing to give up their favorite hunting spots.
You could also get invited to the largest festival in West Virginia, Bridge Day. It takes place at New River Gorge Bridge on the third Saturday of October. The bridge was completed on October 22, 1977, and it’s the longest steel arch bridge in the western hemisphere.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Join National Day Calendar® as they explore the history, culture, and heritage of West Virginia. Discover her enchanting beauty and the music, poetry, and art of this state. Use #NationalWestVirginiaDay to share on social media.
Hidden Treasures
We also observe these famous figures born in West Virginia of whom are still recognized for their past accomplishments, heroics, talents, ingenuity and innovations: Waitman Thomas Willey, William "Devil Anse" Hatfield, Anna Jarvis, Dwight Morrow, Florence Blanchfield, Pearl S. Buck, Katherine Johnson, Chuck Yeager, Gray Barker, John Forbes Nash Jr., John C. Norman, Jerry West and Henry Louis Gates.
Visit the link below to see those of notable birth who were not mentioned on the list above:
Here's to The Mountain State!
#NationalWestVirginiaDay
@WVUfootball
@senecarockswv
@nichecinema
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