Tag: West Virginia Day

WV Day Celebrations Kick Off At Culture Center

West Virginia became a state 160 years ago on June 20, 1863 in the midst of the Civil War. West Virginians participate in activities around the state to commemorate the day.

West Virginia became a state 160 years ago on June 20, 1863 in the midst of the Civil War. West Virginians participate in activities around the state to commemorate the day.

Gov. Jim Justice and First Lady Cathy Justice kicked off the celebration at the West Virginia Culture Center along with Arts, Culture and History Curator Randall Reid-Smith and other dignitaries. The celebration included a performance of one of West Virginia’s four state song “The West Virginia Hills” as sung by the students participating in the Ambassadors Camp.

Gov. Justice read a quote from President John F. Kennedy from when he visited the state for the 100th anniversary in 1963. He read: “It (West Virginia) has known sunshine and rain in 100 years, but I know of no state—and I know this state well—whose people feel more strongly, who have a greater sense of pride in themselves, their state and their country, than the people of West Virginia.”

Cathy Justice was honored for her work with education in the state by being made an honorary knight of the Golden Horseshoe.

Cathy Justice also announced the winner of the West Virginia Birthday Punch Contest. The contest invited West Virginians to submit an original (non-alcoholic) punch recipe, with the winning recipe being served at the celebration.

The official birthday cake of West Virginia, “Ms. Van’s Blackberry Skillet Cake” by Kim Wymer of Scott Depot which was awarded at last year’s birthday celebration was served at the reception. 

The day also featured a Golden Horseshoe Reunion, open to all former recipients of the Golden Horseshoe Award in recognition of their knowledge of West Virginia history. 

State’s Best Birthday Cake, Punch Highlight West Virginia Day Celebration

West Virginia’s 160th birthday celebration is set to begin at noon on Tuesday, June 20 at the Culture Center on the State Capitol campus.

West Virginia’s 160th birthday celebration is set to begin at noon on Tuesday, June 20 at the Culture Center on the State Capitol campus.

The first 160 people to arrive will receive a limited edition commemorative gift handmade by artisans with the Black Locust Woodshop in Charleston.

Gov. Jim Justice and First Lady Cathy Justice will greet guests, followed by special performances by West Virginia musicians. 

They will announce the winner of the West Virginia Birthday Punch Contest, for the best original (non-alcoholic) punch recipe, with the winning recipe being served at the celebration. 

The official birthday cake of West Virginia, “Ms. Van’s Blackberry Skillet Cake” by Kim Wymer of Scott Depot, will be served at the reception. 

The day will also feature a Golden Horseshoe reunion, open to all former recipients of the Golden Horseshoe award in recognition of their knowledge of West Virginia history. 

At 2 p.m. the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History will host the 2nd annual History Bowl Legends Tournament, where past participants come together as All-Star teams to compete for bragging rights.

How To Watch:

For those unable to attend in-person, the West Virginia Day ceremonies will be broadcast live on the West Virginia Channel.

To find your station, click here (use column labeled “WV Channel”).

The ceremonies will also be live streamed online. All West Virginians are encouraged to watch on the following platforms:

Free Hatfield-McCoy Trail Passes On West Virginia Day

On West Virginia Day, June 20, state residents can ride free on the Hatfield-McCoy trail system.

Fire up your ATV next Tuesday, for a holiday-inspired free day on the Hatfield-McCoy Trails.

On West Virginia Day, June 20, state residents can ride free on the Hatfield-McCoy Trail system. The only other option, an annual permit, would usually cost $26.50.  

Trail passes will be available to residents who present a valid West Virginia driver’s license or state-issued ID at Hatfield-McCoy trailhead locations, the Welcome Center and the Country Roads Visitors Center.

West Virginia Day passes are not available at local retailers and are only valid on June 20, 2023.

All Hatfield-McCoy Trails regulations will apply to all riders and note that West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) police officers will be out on the trails checking for permits.

For a listing of free day pass locations, click here. 

W.Va. Celebrates Its 159th Birthday

Born from the strife of the American Civil War, June 20 marks West Virginia’s birthday. This year, the Mountain State is celebrating 159 years.

Born from the strife of the American Civil War, June 20 marks West Virginia’s birthday. This year, the Mountain State is celebrating 159 years.

How Did W.Va. Become A State?

The official account from the National Archives notes that the West Virginia Constitution was ratified by voters on Nov. 26, 1861. In May 1862, Sen. Waitman T. Willey, who represented the Union side of Virginia at the time, submitted a bill, S. 365, to Congress for the admission of West Virginia to the Union. He then proposed an amendment to the bill calling for West Virginia to amend its constitution to include the gradual emancipation of slaves in the state.

On July 14, 1862, the Senate approved West Virginia’s admission to the Union, with statehood conditioned on its approval of the Willey Amendment. The House approved the bill in December of that year.

President Abraham Lincoln signed the bill admitting West Virginia to the Union on Dec. 31. On March 26, 1863, West Virginia ratified the revised constitution to include the Willey Amendment. Lincoln proclaimed that West Virginia would officially be recognized as a state on June 20, 1863.

W.Va. Statehood Celebration

Today, West Virginians can enjoy events all across the state on June 20, but this year, Gov. Jim Justice has invited all West Virginians to the State Culture Center at the Capitol Complex in Charleston to celebrate the state’s birthday.

Justice and First Lady Cathy Justice will arrive at noon and will announce the winner of the West Virginia Birthday Cake Contest.

The contest asked West Virginians to submit an original cake recipe, with the winning recipe becoming the “official” state birthday cake. Going forward, it will be served every year on June 20 to celebrate West Virginia’s statehood.

After announcing the winner, they will perform a ceremonial cake cutting.

The day will also feature a Golden Horseshoe Reunion, open to all former recipients of the Golden Horseshoe Award in recognition of their knowledge of West Virginia history. The reunion will feature a ceremony in the State Theater, beginning at 12:30 p.m., which will include Justice being knighted with an honorary Golden Horseshoe in recognition of his service to West Virginia and support of the state’s history.

A West Virginia Day reception will be held at 1 p.m.

At 2 p.m., the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History will host its inaugural History Bowl Legends Tournament, where past participants come together as all-star teams to compete for bragging rights.

The West Virginia Day festivities will also include several choir performances throughout the day.

June 20, 1863: West Virginia Enters the Union

On June 20, 1863, West Virginia entered the Union as the nation’s 35th state. It was the end of an unprecedented ladder to statehood that began with the outbreak of the Civil War.

Although some Western Virginians had been frustrated with the Virginia state government in Richmond for decades, it took Virginia’s secession from the Union in April 1861 to get the West Virginia statehood process moving.

Crafty politicians—now remembered as our founders—used Virginia’s secession as an excuse to create a separate government of Virginia—one that remained loyal to the Union.

They elected their own representatives and senators to Congress and established their own state government of Virginia, with its capital in Wheeling. It was this Restored, or Reorganized, Government of Virginia that gave its constitutional consent for West Virginia to break from Virginia and form a new state.

When Arthur Boreman became West Virginia’s first governor on June 20, 1863, he referred to our state as a “child of the rebellion.” When the Civil War ended nearly two years later, West Virginia was the only permanent change in territory resulting directly from the war.

June 20, 1863: West Virginia Enters the Union

On June 20, 1863, West Virginia entered the Union as the nation’s 35th state. It was the end of an unprecedented ladder to statehood that began with the outbreak of the Civil War.

Although some Western Virginians had been frustrated with the Virginia state government in Richmond for decades, it took Virginia’s secession from the Union in April 1861 to get the West Virginia statehood process moving.

Crafty politicians—now remembered as our founders—used Virginia’s secession as an excuse to create a separate government of Virginia—one that remained loyal to the Union.

They elected their own representatives and senators to Congress and established their own state government of Virginia, with its capital in Wheeling. It was this Restored, or Reorganized, Government of Virginia that gave its constitutional consent for West Virginia to break from Virginia and form a new state.

When Arthur Boreman became West Virginia’s first governor on June 20, 1863, he referred to our state as a “child of the rebellion.” When the Civil War ended nearly two years later, West Virginia was the only permanent change in territory resulting directly from the war.

Exit mobile version