National West Virginia Day
June 20
About National West Virginia Day
National West Virginia Day is observed every year on 20 June, marking the date in 1863 when West Virginia was admitted to the United States as the 35th state. It is a legal state holiday in West Virginia, commemorating the only state to be formed by breaking away from another during the American Civil War. The day is celebrated with festivals, historical reenactments, and ceremonies across the Mountain State.
The Story Behind National West Virginia Day
The roots of West Virginia Day reach back to long-standing tensions within the state of Virginia. Through the early nineteenth century, the mountainous western counties grew increasingly estranged from the planter-dominated east. The western region was made up largely of small farms, had little reliance on enslaved labour, and felt under-represented in the Virginia legislature at Richmond. Because enslaved people were counted when allotting political representation, wealthy eastern landowners held outsized power, and western demands for lower taxes and better roads and infrastructure went unmet for decades.
Those tensions reached breaking point in 1861. When Virginia passed its Order of Secession on 17 April and voters ratified it on 23 May, the majority of western Virginians opposed leaving the Union. Pro-Union delegates met in Wheeling and, on 17 June 1861, formed the Restored Government of Virginia under Francis Pierpont. This loyal government claimed authority over the whole of Virginia, but in practice it set the stage for something more ambitious. In August 1861, the Restored Government voted to approve the creation of an entirely new Union state in the west.
The path to statehood was neither quick nor simple. A constitutional convention drafted a framework for the proposed state, initially considered under the name Kanawha before West Virginia was chosen. On 31 December 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed an enabling act admitting West Virginia on the condition that its constitution provide for the gradual abolition of slavery. The revised constitution was adopted on 26 March 1863, and on 20 April Lincoln issued a proclamation admitting the new state after a sixty-day period. That period ended on 20 June 1863, the day West Virginia officially joined the Union and the date now honoured each year.
For more than six decades afterwards, communities marked the anniversary informally. It was not until 1927 that the West Virginia Legislature gave the occasion formal recognition, establishing West Virginia Day as a legal holiday through Chapter 59 of the Acts of the Legislature. Since then it has remained a fixed point in the state calendar, a day for residents to reflect on the unusual and hard-won origins of the Mountain State.
When and Where is National West Virginia Day Celebrated?
National West Virginia Day falls on Saturday, 20 June 2026. The date is fixed and never changes, as it marks the precise anniversary of statehood in 1863. While the observance is officially a West Virginia state holiday, the day is increasingly recognised more widely across the United States as a moment to celebrate the state’s heritage. The heart of the celebrations lies in Charleston, the state capital, and in Wheeling, often described as the birthplace of West Virginia because the Restored Government met there. Communities throughout the state, from small Appalachian towns to larger cities such as Elkins, hold their own events.
Traditions and Customs
West Virginia Day has developed its own familiar rhythms over the decades, blending civic ceremony with community festivity.
- Capitol celebrations – Charleston’s state capitol complex hosts official ceremonies, live music, and family activities, drawing residents from across the state to the seat of government.
- Birthday cake and lemonade – A simple but cherished custom sees roadside refreshments served, with birthday cake and lemonade offered to mark the state’s “birthday” in a neighbourly fashion.
- Civil War reenactments – Given the state’s wartime origins, costumed reenactors stage battles and demonstrate Civil War era crafts and industrial processes at historic sites.
- Heritage exhibitions – Museums and historical societies mount displays on West Virginia’s social, agricultural, and industrial past, from coal mining to glassmaking and railroads.
- Parades and concerts – Towns hold parades, art festivals, barbecues, and concerts, often featuring traditional Appalachian music and bluegrass.
Ways to Celebrate National West Virginia Day
Whether you live in the Mountain State or simply want to honour its story, there are plenty of ways to take part.
- Visit a historic site – Explore West Virginia Independence Hall in Wheeling, where the Restored Government convened, or another of the state’s many heritage landmarks.
- Learn the statehood story – Read about how West Virginia split from Virginia and joined the Union, a chapter of American history unlike any other.
- Attend a local festival – Check listings in Charleston, Wheeling, and Elkins for parades, reenactments, and family events held on or around 20 June.
- Cook a West Virginian dish – Try pepperoni rolls, the unofficial state food, or a slice of birthday cake to join the refreshment tradition.
- Explore the outdoors – The Appalachian Mountains, New River Gorge National Park, and the state’s forests make 20 June a fine day for hiking or rafting.
- Support local makers – Buy from West Virginian artisans, glassblowers, and craftspeople to celebrate the state’s industrial and creative heritage.
Facts and Figures
- West Virginia is the only U.S. state formed by seceding from a Confederate state during the American Civil War.
- The state was admitted to the Union on 20 June 1863 as the 35th state.
- It was very nearly named “Kanawha” before West Virginia was chosen.
- West Virginia Day became a legal state holiday in 1927, more than sixty years after statehood.
- Wheeling, where the Restored Government met, is widely regarded as the birthplace of the state.
- West Virginia is nicknamed the Mountain State, reflecting its position entirely within the Appalachian mountain range.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National West Virginia Day?
National West Virginia Day commemorates 20 June 1863, the date West Virginia was admitted to the United States as the 35th state. It is a legal state holiday celebrating the Mountain State’s distinctive origins during the American Civil War.
When is National West Virginia Day in 2026?
National West Virginia Day takes place on Saturday, 20 June 2026. The date is fixed every year as it marks the exact anniversary of statehood.
Why did West Virginia separate from Virginia?
The western counties of Virginia opposed secession from the Union in 1861. Pro-Union residents formed a new government in Wheeling and pursued statehood, leading to West Virginia’s admission in 1863 on the condition that its constitution provide for the gradual abolition of slavery.
Spread the Word
Share National West Virginia Day with your community using #WestVirginiaDay and #WestVirginiaDay2026. Whether you mark the occasion with a slice of birthday cake, a visit to a historic site, or a hike through the Appalachians, every bit of awareness helps keep this proud tradition alive.
Related Awareness Days
- Juneteenth – Observed on 19 June, this day commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and shares the same week of remembrance.
- Portugal Day – Another national day rooted in heritage and identity, celebrated in June with festivals and ceremonies.
- King’s Birthday – A June observance marking a milestone of national significance, celebrated with public ceremony.
Links
- Read about West Virginia Day at the West Virginia Encyclopedia
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
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