When Virginia voted to secede from the Union in 1861, West Virginians held onto their Union loyalties and petitioned Congress to form their own state. The 35th state was admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863. It was the only state created during the Civil War. West Virginia was born in the middle of the Civil War. Unionists petitioned Congress to form their own state in 1861. Virginia voted to secede from the Union, but West Virginians held onto their loyalties to the United States. The 35th state was admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863. Depending on your point of view, West Virginia can be considered either the northern-most or southern-most state. The location of the state literally put it on the front line at the onset of the Civil War. West Virginia possesses numerous mountains, which are responsible for the state’s nickname, the Mountain State. West Virginia is also recognized as the Mountain States since it has three mountain ranges: the Appalachian, Allegheny, and Blue Ridge. The last one is responsible for almost seventy-eight percent of the state’s total area.

National West Virginia Day is observed annually on March 22nd!

March 22nd is West Virginia Day, a holiday that honors the unique status of West Virginia as the very last state to join the Union.