Find Out Some Fascinating Historical Facts About Virginia

As Virginia is the location of the first permanent English colony in America, the state is recognized as the birthplace of a country, while also still being part of the old, thus it is also called the Old Dominion.The history of the Virginia colony starts from the colonial period, up to the present day, with innovation such as space flights. Located in Hampton, Virginia, the birthplace of America’s space program, the Virginia Air & Space Center (VASC) is the official visitor center for NASA Langley Research Center. Tourists can also visit the Historic Triangle of the state, Jamestown, Yorktown, and Colonial Williamsburg, that features many restored attractions.A fun fact is that ‘Sic semper tyrannis’ (’thus always to tyrants’), which means that tyrants will pay for their actions in the end.Virginia was named in honor of Queen Elizabeth I, as she was known as the Virgin Queen. The region which is currently known as Virginia was home to America’s original English settlement, and the state was considered one of the territories of England, so it was also called the Old Dominion state.Virginia is the 35th most extensive and the 12th most populated state of the USA. The state is located between the mid-Atlantic and south-eastern areas of the USA, close to the Appalachian mountains and the Atlantic Coast.Virginia achieved its statehood on June 25, 1788, and became the 10th state in the Union. The state is bordered by five other states and they are Maryland, North Carolina, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee.Richmond is the capital of the state, which includes 95 counties. Richmond’s population was made up of English people during the colonial days. With these facts about the state, you will learn all about the history of Virginia along with major events, famous places to visit, and other interesting facts about the state. Afterward, also discover more about the history of Virginia, and Virginia facts.The History of The Old DominionVirginia’s history started in the 1500s, after explorers from Spain had visited the north coast of what was to become America. All colonies were ruled under Queen Elizabeth I’s command.The region, which is known now as Virginia, was initially occupied by tribal Native American people, such as Algonquin, Sioux, and Iroquois, in the 16th century.The area was first named Virginia by Sir Walter Raleigh in honor of the Virgin Queen Elizabeth I.In 1607, John Smith, along with other colonists consisting of John Rolfe, who eventually married Powhatan native Pocahontas, established the original permanent English colony in America, supported by the London Company.The motivation to colonise America was largely financial. The colonists wanted to discover spices and gold, and land for crop cultivation. However, they found an unfriendly environment since the colonists could not deal with the climate, swamps and venomous snakes, and the soil, which was unsuitable for cultivating crops. Moreover, most of the colonists did not have any experience of farming.But they eventually established a friendly rapport with the local people and survived. Ultimately, they also became successful in cultivating tobacco.Major Events in Virginia’s HistorySome of the most significant events in the history of Virginia are as follows:1606: The London Company was allowed to establish a colony in Virginia.1607: The London Company founded the Jamestown Colony. John Smith was instrumental in establishing this colony.1613: The colonists kidnapped Pocahontas, a local chief’s daughter, for ransom. Later, she married Thomas Rolfe, one of the English colonists.1624: Virginia became England’s crown colony. (Britain was not established as a united country until 1707, so was often referred to as just England before that date.)1676: Bacon’s Rebellion occurred, and Jamestown City was burned and destroyed.1698: The capital of the state was shifted to Williamsburg from Jamestown.1765: The British started to impose taxes on the colonies, including the Stamp Act. Several colonial leaders spoke against the Act, including Patrick Henry. In this year, the Revolutionary War also began.1776: Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence from Virginia.1781: At the Battle of Yorktown, the Americans defeated the British and marked the end of the Revolutionary War.1788: Virginia came under the Constitution of the USA and became the 10th state of the country.1789: The first US President was George Washington, from Virginia.1801: The third President of the United States was Thomas Jefferson, also from Virginia.1859: An attack on the national armory, led by abolitionist John Brown at Harper’s Ferry, was motivated by a need to provide arms to the slaves for their revolt.1861: The state split from the Union and joined the Confederacy, and the Confederate States shifted to Richmond in Virginia. Due to this, the Civil War started.1863: West Virginia separated from Virginia and formed an independent state.1865: The Confederate Army’s General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant, and the Civil War ended with it.1870: The Union ultimately re-admitted Virginia.Famous Places To VisitThere are many famous places to visit in Virginia. The most well-known places are listed below:Colonial Williamsburg is a family-friendly and attractive historical destination. The town is known for its 18th-century historic homes, culture, and antiquewares. Talented re-enactors and craftspeople depict historical figures from around the time of the Civil War and bring life to the town’s history. The place is famous for its two amusement parks, Water Country and Busch Gardens, appealing to families with children for outdoor entertainment.Shenandoah National Park is an excellent location for a picnic, hiking, and for viewing fall foliage. The park covers approximately 200,000 acres of protected lands and tourists can see the entire park through Skyline Drive. It bends through the valleys and hills, offering incredible photo opportunities and vantage points of beautiful scenery. Tourists can also participate in ranger programs.Richmond is Virginia’s capital and has a rich history. Tourists can check out sites of the American Revolution, such as St. John’s Church, as well as attractive places such as The American Civil War Museum. During warm weather, visitors can visit amusement park entertainment in Kings Dominion or admire the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden flowers.Chincoteague Island welcomes tourists with its calm and scenic coastal beauty and its renowned wild horses. The primary attraction in this place is the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, where visitors can spot waterfowl, birds, and horses. Other everyday activities in this place comprise biking, fishing, and boating.Charlottesville is a fun retreat for history buffs and wine lovers and home to Virginia’s prestigious university. With wonderful countryside, countless vineyards and wineries around the city, the fertile landscape leads to some flavorsome varieties of wine. Tourists can also visit Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s former house, and the historic Downtown Mall, with more than 150 restaurants and shops.Jamestown is another historical attraction. Jamestown Settlement features a lot of 17th-century history about Virginia, such as the Civil War, in addition to the events that led to the foundation of the first permanent English settlement in the Americas.Meanwhile, for those who prefer the great outdoors, Greensprings Interpretive Trail offers 3.5 mi (5.6 km) of biking and hiking routes. Tourists can also visit the city’s Glasshouse for its glassblowing.Virginia Beach has various beaches and districts and offers something for everybody. Visitors to Virginia Beach can skate on the boardwalk, absorb some rays in the oceanfront area, enjoy shopping and eating in the town center district, or kayaking or hiking in the Sandridge region. Virginia Beach offers countless options for both entertainment and relaxation and makes it a perfect place for vacation; an ideal summer location for people to relax.Mount Vernon is an iconic place where visitors can find the plantation house of the first US President, George Washington. Mount Vernon offers several options to visitors, such as walking through the mansion, visiting the museum, and the family’s tomb, strolling through the gardens, and learning about the slaves who used to live there. Mount Vernon also provides attractions by hosting military re-enactments and tea with ‘Martha Washington’.Abingdon, located in south-western Virginia, is the home to North America’s longest-running professional theater, the Barter Theater, that shows various performances all through the year. Tourists can visit Wolf Hills Brewing Co. and sample the local beer. The Virginia Creeper Trail in Abingdon provides an excellent spot for horse riding, scenic strolls, and bike rides.Interesting Facts About VirginiaFrom its extensive history to its outdoor attractions, let’s find out some more about enchanting Virginia:Jamestown was the first American colony out of the original 13 colonies and also the state’s first capital. The city is famous for its silk cultivation because of the abundant availability of delicious mulberry trees, the favorite food of the silkworm. Silk was exported with King James and his courtiers till a blight fungus ruined the plants, and the colonists had to shift to tobacco cultivation, which became the cash crop of Virginia.Undoubtedly, tobacco was the main cash crop in Virginia for a lot of its history. Tobacco was first planted in 1612 by an early colonist of Jamestown, John Rolfe. He bought a bag of tobacco seeds in Trinidad and arrived in America with them. The harvest of Rolfe became instantly successful. Several residents of Virginia still make their living through tobacco cultivation and produced £44 million tobacco leaves in 2017.Virginia is known as the birthplace of eight leaders and six first ladies. From the founder of America, George Washington, to the 28th US president, Woodrow Wilson. James Monroe, Thomas Jefferson, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, Martha Washington, and Martha Jefferson were all born in this state.In contrast, Virginia is the resting place of seven presidents: George Washington, James Madison, William Taft, Thomas Jefferson, John Tyler, James Monroe, William Harrison, and John F. Kennedy.James Monroe was one of the founding fathers of the United States. Like Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, Zachary Taylor and Woodrow Wilson, these sons of Virginia dedicated their lives in the service of the nation.John Tyler was the 10th president of the country. Before him, William Harrison was the ninth president. Therefore, the state has the nickname of Mother of Presidents.The Union armies boarded the ship ‘The Monitor’ and met the Confederacy-flagged ‘Virginia’ in a battle beside the state’s coast during the Civil War.On March 9, 1862, two wooden Union ships, ‘The Cumberland’ and ‘The Congress’, were sunk by Virginia, which then moved to capture ‘The Monitor’, in what came to be known as The Battle of Hampton Roads.This battle was the first to use iron-armored vessels, and it transformed the nature of naval conflict forever.Close to the border of North Carolina in Virginia is The Great Dismal Swamp. It is a national natural refuge and a significant habitat covering more than 0.4 million hectares (1 million acres). Currently, 45,324 hectares (112,000 acres) comprise this exclusive natural conservancy which is home to different wildlife and plants. More than 96 types of butterflies, 47 varieties of mammals, and 200 species in all are spotted in this place.Lake Drummond was formed almost 4,000 years before and is still Virginia’s central natural lake, whereas 2,550 hectares (6,300 acres) of the marsh is on the refuge’s western and southern parts.Old Dominion, Mother of Presidents, and Mother of States are Virginia’s state nicknames, while flowering dogwood is the state flower of Virginia. The Potomac river flows through the state of Virginia into the Chesapeake Bay, further into the Atlantic ocean. Berkeley plantation was one of the first plantations in America. Newport News is an independent city in the state, while the Blue Ridge mountains are one of the most scenic places in the state.Arlington county was also part of the colony of Virginia. Central Virginia is the largest region of the state and includes the state capital of Richmond, and the country’s federal government operates from this state.Virginia soil or Pamunkey soil is the state soil of Virginia. The Atlantic ocean is to the east of the state. The James River and other rivers eventually pass through Chesapeake Bay and into the Atlantic ocean. James River State Park is a little-known attraction in the state, built around the river which empties into the Chesapeake Bay.