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It is my pleasure as eWV senator to wish all of my constituents a happy West Virginia Day! It was on this day (June 20) in 1863 that West Virginia officially became its own state. The existence of our great state is testimony to the will and resolve of West Virginians. Let me give you a short history lesson about how exactly West Virginia became a state.

Ever since before the United States gained its independence, Virginians in the mountainous west had been subject to unfair representation in the Virginia Congress. This was mainly attributed to the fact that wealthy plantation owners lived in the east while poor farmers and hunters lived in the west.

When Virginia voted to secede from the Union, most in the western mountains still held Union sympathies. As a result, the “Reformed Government of Virginia” was created and based in Wheeling. Because this “Reformed Government” was pro-Union, it was allowed to send representatives to the Union Congress and was viewed as the legitimate government of Virginia.

Many westerners were still unhappy. They knew that as soon as the war was over, both Virginias would be reunited and they would be under the unfair jurisdiction of Richmond yet again. The only problem was that the US Constitution would not let them form their own state unless Richmond consented, which would never happen.

Remember though, Richmond had seceded and was no longer recognized as the legitimate government of Virginia. Because of this, the “Reformed Government of Virginia” was able to consent to the creation of a new state. This new state filed its official Congressional petition and found itself on the desk of President Lincoln.

On the one hand, Lincoln had the original government of Virginia, which had seceded, and other the other hand he had the Reformed Government of Virginia, which was loyal to the Union. This conflict is depicted in the statue on the WV Capitol stairs.

As punishment to Virginia for its secession, Lincoln declared on April 20, 1863 that in 60 days, a new state would be created. On June 20, 1863; the declaration became official and the new state of West Virginia had officially seceded.

Ever since that day, some of the most famous people in the United States have come from West Virginia. This includes athletes such as Randy Moss and Mary Lou Retton (Olympic gold medalist), actors such as Don Knotts, and scientists such as Homer Hickam (October Sky). Anne Jarvis, the founder of Mother’s Day, was even a West Virginian!

West Virginia is also home to many of the greatest innovations. The first steamboat sailed at Wheeling. The country’s longest arch bridge spans the New River Gorge. The first time the sound barrier was broken, a West Virginian did it (Chuck Yeager). The United States Supreme Court chamber is an exact replica of the West Virginia Supreme Court chamber (both designed by Cass Gilbert). The Golden Delicious apple was even invented in West Virginia!

Despite all of the stigmas that come along with being a West Virginian, I am proud to be one. No matter where I go, I will always remember that these country roads will take me home.

-Ekim
Proud West Virginian
eWest Virginia Senator
Knight of the Golden Horseshoe