West Virginia Day

West Virginia Day is a state holiday observed in West Virginia on June 20 each year. It celebrates the admission of West Virginia as the 35th state of the United States on June 20, 1863. The holiday is a day of state pride and reflection on West Virginia's unique origins as the only state created by seceding from a Confederate state during the American Civil War.

West Virginia Day honors the courage of the western Virginia counties that rejected secession and chose to remain loyal to the Union, ultimately forming their own state with the approval of President Abraham Lincoln.

West Virginia's creation is one of the most remarkable stories in American history. When Virginia voted to secede from the Union in April 1861, the western counties — mountainous, less reliant on slavery, and culturally distinct — overwhelmingly opposed the decision.

In June 1861, delegates from the western counties convened the Wheeling Convention, where they declared Virginia's secession unconstitutional and established the Restored Government of Virginia loyal to the Union. This government then gave consent for the western counties to form a separate state, as required by the U.S. Constitution.

A constitutional convention was held in November 1861, and the new state constitution included a provision for the gradual emancipation of slaves. After debate in Congress about the constitutionality of dividing a state, President Abraham Lincoln signed the statehood bill on December 31, 1862. West Virginia was officially admitted on June 20, 1863, becoming the 35th state.

West Virginia remains the only state in U.S. history created by separating from a Confederate state. Its formation was a powerful statement of Union loyalty from citizens who refused to follow their state into rebellion.

State Capitol Ceremony: The governor typically hosts an official ceremony at the State Capitol in Charleston, featuring speeches, flag-raising, and recognition of notable West Virginians.

Community Festivals: Towns across West Virginia hold festivals, picnics, and outdoor celebrations featuring live music, local food, and family-friendly activities.

Historical Exhibitions: Museums and historical societies present exhibits on West Virginia's Civil War origins, the Wheeling Convention, and the state's journey to statehood.

Fireworks and Concerts: Many communities organize fireworks displays and outdoor concerts to mark the occasion, particularly in Charleston, Wheeling, and other major cities.

Outdoor Recreation: West Virginians celebrate their state's natural beauty with hiking, fishing, and river activities in the Appalachian mountains and valleys that define the state.