50 Interesting & Fun Facts About Virginia State

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As the oldest of the original Thirteen Colonies, the home of the most presidents, and a prominent battlefield in two major wars, there are plenty of facts about Virginia state to keep any trivia buff busy for hours.

For example, Virginia is home to the Data Center Capital of the World, and Virginian William Henry Harrison was the first president to die in office. Coincidently, President Zachary Taylor, also born in Virginia, was the second.

In case you didn't know, Virginia's Chesapeake Bay was formed by an asteroid 35 million years ago. The impact crater is nearly a mile deep. And while you're thinking about it, the bay contains 18 trillion gallons of water.

As you can see, there's a lot to learn about Virginia. So if you're curious about this fascinating part of the United States, hunker down and look at these 50 fun Virginia facts.

• 50 Virginia facts

50 Virginia State Facts

Virginia Fun Facts

Shenandoah National Park in Virginia has more than 500 miles of hiking trails

You can experience the authentic Virginia outdoors on the over 500 miles of hiking trails at Shenandoah National Park. The park offers everything from hour-long beginner hikes to backcountry treks that take experts longer than a week.

Shenandoah National Park was established in 1935, covering nearly 200,000 acres in Northern Virginia, and it's about an hour's drive west of Fairfax.

Virginia-born president James Madison was Princeton's first graduate student

Founding father and fourth president James Madison was born in Port Conway, Virginia, in 1751. He attended Princeton University in New Jersey, where he graduated in the Class of 1771. Many refer to him as Princeton's first graduate student

Madison was the first non-theological student to stick around after graduation, opting to spend six months studying Hebrew under College President John Witherspoon.

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John Tyler was the first United States President to marry while in office

President John Tyler, former Governor of Virginia, was the first president to marry while in office. Tyler met his future wife Julia in Washington D.C. in 1842 following the passing of his first wife earlier that year. The two married in 1844, in New York City, with eight months remaining in John Tyler's term as president.

The Jamestown landing site is now a state park

Another of many interesting facts about the state of Virginia is that the spot where Jamestown settlers arrived at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay in 1607 is now First Landing State Park. The park was created in the 1930s primarily by an African-American Civilian Conservation Corps.

Today, the natural attraction is a National Natural Landmark, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the most visited state park in Virginia.

The Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, is the world's largest office building

Constructed in the 1940s, the Pentagon has a floor area of 620,000 square meters, much of which is used as office space. This fact makes it the largest office building in the world, with over 20% more space than the second-ranked FCA headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The Pentagon is so large that it has its own subway station, shopping center, and nearly 70 acres just for parking.

William Henry Harrison was only United States President for 31 days

Born to the wealthy Harrison family in Virginia, William Henry Harrison rose through the political ranks to become the ninth president of the United States in 1841. But that position was short-lived as Harrison passed away 31 days later, making him the first president to die in office and the president to serve the least amount of time.

Virginia shares borders with five other states

In Virginia, you're never very far from your neighbors since Virginia shares a border with five other neighboring states. Maryland and West Virginia are to the north, Kentucky to the west, and North Carolina and Tennessee to the south. However, Virginia doesn't beat the record held by Missouri and Tennessee: they each have eight bordering states.

Northern Virginia is called the "Data Center Capital of the World"

Northern Virginia has been dubbed the "Data Center Capital of the World" due to being home to approximately 35% of the world's hyperscale data centers. Companies like Microsoft, Visa, and Google maintain a presence in the region, and the state's data center industry employs nearly 14,000 Virginia residents.

Pocahontas State Park is the largest state park in Virginia

There are 41 state parks that you can explore across Virginia, but the largest is Pocahontas State Park, southwest of Richmond. Pocahontas State Park was established after World War II in 1946 and covers just under 8,000 acres of Virginia's central Piedmont region.

The park is home to 90 miles of hiking trails, three lakes for fishing, and an aquatic center for leisurely water activities.

Virginia became the 10th state on June 25, 1788

In June 1788, the Commonwealth of Virginia delegates met for the Virginia Federal Convention in Richmond to ratify the United States Constitution. Finally, after nearly a month of debate, on June 25, 1788, they put the Constitution to a vote.

The outcome resulted in one of the most important historical facts about Virginia: it became the 10th state in the union when the ratification passed 89-79.

The billion-dollar seafood industry is an important part of Virginia's economy

Being on the coast of the bountiful Chesapeake Bay, Virginians know a little something about good seafood. Fishermen bring in some large hauls that include oysters, crabs, scallops, and clams.

The seafood industry contributes more than a billion dollars annually to the state economy, and Virginia is the fourth largest seafood-producing state by weight in the United States.

Tennis legend Arthur Ashe was born in Richmond, Virginia

Arthur Ashe, raised in Richmond, Virginia, was one of the first African-American tennis stars during the 1960s. During this contentious period, the country was in the middle of the civil rights movement.

Despite being forced to play on poorly maintained, segregated courts as a youth, Ashe became the first African-American to win the U.S. Open in 1968 and Wimbledon in 1975.

There's a giant asteroid crater under the Chesapeake Bay

Around 35 million years ago, a massive asteroid, estimated to be between three and five kilometers in diameter, entered the atmosphere and slammed into what is now Chesapeake Bay.

The impact crater, first discovered in 1983, measures 1.3 kilometers deep and 85 kilometers across. Waves from the impact reached inland to the Blue Ridge Mountains and across the ocean to Europe.

Virginia's best-known nickname is "Old Dominion State"

Virginia's most well-known nickname is the Old Dominion State. Its origins are set in the early 1600s when the first coat of arms for Colonial Virginia signified it as the fifth domain of England. King Charles II allegedly referred to the Virginia Colony as his "old dominion" for its unwavering support of the monarchy during the English Civil War.

The American Civil War ended in Appomattox County, Virginia

One of the fun facts on Virginia for military history lovers is that Virginia's Battle of Bull Run was the first major clash of the Civil War. The state is also where fighting pretty much came to an end.

The Civil War was largely considered over when General Robert E. Lee's Confederate forces surrendered at the courthouse in the small town of Appomattox.

Interesting Facts About Virginia

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Chesapeake Bay could fill more than 50 billion bathtubs

There's a lot of water in Virginia's Chesapeake Bay, around 18 trillion gallons of it. That's enough to top off over 50 billion bathtubs. And another 51 billion gallons are pumped into the bay every day from surrounding waterways.

To put it in perspective, Virginia uses around 600 million gallons of water daily or just over one percent of Chesapeake Bay's daily inflow.

James Monroe was responsible for the Louisiana Purchase

In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson gave James Monroe the task of negotiating with the French for the Louisiana Territory. Monroe, who hailed from Charlottesville, Virginia, met with Napoleon Bonaparte to secure the 828,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi for $15 million.

This deal Monroe struck, known as "the Louisiana Purchase," doubled the size of the United States. James Monroe then went on to become the fifth president.

Virginia's motto, sic semper tyrannis, means "thus always to tyrants"

The Latin phrase sic semper tyrannis is the Virginia motto and appears on both the state seal and state flag of Virginia. If your Latin is a little rusty, sic semper tyrannis translates to "thus always to tyrants." The phrase is a nod to the colony's historical struggle for independence and the role of Virginians during the American Revolution.

More than 400,000 people are buried at Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery was originally Arlington Estate, owned by the grandson of President George Washington. The site was first used to bury civil war soldiers in May 1864 and was officially designated a national cemetery a month later, on June 15, 1864.

Today, more than 400,000 people are buried on the 639 acres, including veterans from every American conflict.

"Mother of States" is another of Virginia's nicknames

Some Virginia state facts and history extend beyond its current borders, like how several states were once part of Virginia's territory.

The Colony of Virginia was so large that it was eventually split into eight other present-day states: Virginia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio. This shared history earned Virginia the nickname "Mother of States."

Virginia's state dog is the American foxhound

Did you know that Virginia has an official state dog? The American foxhound was selected by the legislature in 1966. The breed has its origins in colonial Virginia as part of a breeding program by George Washington.

In addition to its official dog, Virginia also has a state bird, the northern cardinal, and two state fish: the freshwater brook trout and saltwater striped bass. However, there is no official state animal of Virginia.

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The quote "Give me liberty, or give me death" comes from Virginia

The famous quote "Give me liberty, or give me death" was spoken in Virginia by Patrick Henry, the state's first governor. This patriot was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and delivered the iconic line during a speech at the Second Virginia Convention held in Richmond in 1775.

Virginia-born Zachary Taylor was the second president to die while in office

Zachary Taylor was born in 1784 outside of Gordonsville, Virginia. Taylor spent four decades in military service. Then, in the mid-1840s, major general Zachary Taylor became a national hero in the Mexican-American War.

He went on to become the 12th president of the United States before dying a year into his term. Not only was Taylor the second president to die in office, but the first, William Henry Harrison, was also from Virginia.

You can get a taste of Europe at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Without some fun Virginia facts for theme park lovers, this list wouldn't be complete. What about how Busch Gardens Williamsburg is divided into nine European-themed hamlets?

Stroll the streets of the English Banbury Cross or the Scottish Heatherdowns. Remember to check out the food in the Italian San Marco area and grab a beer at the Bavarian Oktoberfest hamlet.

Dirty Dancing was filmed in Pembroke, Virginia

Although the movie was set in upstate New York, much of the 1987 classic Dirty Dancing was filmed at the Mountain Lake Lodge in Pembroke, Virginia.

Producers looked towards idyllic rural Virginia when filming in New York state was deemed too expensive. If you want to do a little dirty dancing of your own, the Mountain Lake Lodge regularly hosts themed weekends with professional dancers, lessons, and parties.

Weird Virginia Facts

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Staunton, Virginia, is home to the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum

Staunton, Virginia, is a small town that only has around 25,000 residents. But it does have a big attraction: the birthplace of the 28th United States President, Woodrow Wilson. The home where Wilson was born in 1856 now serves as the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum.

You'll find exhibits detailing Wilson's life and presidency, which spanned the United States' involvement in World War I.

Virginia was named after Queen Elizabeth I

Settling Virginia was a pressing issue during the reign of England's Queen Elizabeth I from 1558 to 1603. In 1584, she appointed Sir Walter Raleigh as the governor of a newly discovered territory on the eastern coast of North America. In return, he named the land "Virginia" after Elizabeth I's moniker, the "Virgin Queen."

Virginia is the birthplace of more presidents than any other state

More United States presidents were born in Virginia than in any other state. Eight presidents have called Virginia their birthplace, with Ohio the home to seven. Many of the presidents Virginia produced took office in the nation's early years of the US, with six of the first ten US presidents being born in the state.

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The official symbol of Norfolk is a mermaid

In 1999, the City of Norfolk, Virginia, adopted the mermaid as its official symbol. Mermaids, long used to represent the area's nautical history, can now be found on streets and buildings throughout the city. You'll even see them on official city communication.

Virginia law specifies that Smithfield hams must be made in the town of Smithfield

One of the most interesting facts on Virginia is that ham is legally required to be from the town of Smithfield to be called a Smithfield ham.

Since the small city of Smithfield has a rich ham history dating back to the 1700s, Virginia state law specifies that no ham may be called a Smithfield ham unless it was processed and cured entirely within the Smithfield town limits.

Important Facts About Virginia

George Washington's Mount Vernon was a land grant from King Charles II

George Washington is famous for leading American forces against King George III during the Revolutionary War. It's less known, however, that Washington's property, Mount Vernon, was granted to his great-grandfather by England's King Charles II.

Years after this, George Washington retired to the 8,000-acre property and grounds following his presidency. Today, Mount Vernon is one of the most famous landmarks in Virginia.

Former presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died the same day

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson had a lot in common. Both were Founding Fathers born to wealthy colonial families and were revolutionary leaders during the American War of Independence.

Further, after his role as Governor of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson served as Adams' vice president before becoming president himself. But perhaps the oddest thing they share is their date of death: both former presidents died on July 4, 1826.

Virginia Beach is the largest city in Virginia by population

Richmond may be the capital, but it's only the fourth-largest city in Virginia by population. The number one spot goes to Virginia Beach. With a population of more than 450,000 residents, Virginia Beach is twice as large as Richmond, with approximately 229,000 inhabitants.

Naval Station Norfolk is the world's biggest naval base

Located on Sewell's Point in Norfolk, Virginia, Naval Station Norfolk opened in 1917 during World War I and is the most extensive naval base in the world. It sits on 4,300 acres of land with approximately four miles of coastline and over 80,000 military personnel stationed there.

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Lovers have been flocking to Virginia since 1969

The official tourism slogan of Virginia, "Virginia is for lovers," is arguably the most widely recognized travel slogan in the United States. The phrase was thought up by the Martin and Woltz advertising agency and adopted by the Virginia Tourism Corporation (then the Virginia State Travel Service) in 1969.

Today you can find "Virginia is for lovers" everywhere in Virginia, including on the welcome signs as you enter the state.

Virginia History Facts

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The American Revolution basically ended in Yorktown, Virginia

Virginia was the largest colony during the Revolutionary War, and many important battles were fought there. But none were more decisive than the Battle of Yorktown.

It was there, in late 1981, that General George Washington arrived with Continental troops from New York City, defeating the British forces led by General Charles Cornwallis. The defeat led to Cornwallis' surrender, effectively ending the Revolutionary War.

There are 11 state-recognized Native American tribes in Virginia

Native Americans have been living in the land known as Virginia for up to 18,000 years, according to new research. At the time of the first European settlement in 1607, native tribes in the area belonged to one of three groups: the Siouan, Iroquoian, and Algonquin. Today, the State of Virginia recognizes 11 distinct tribes.

Jamestown, Virginia, was the first English colony in North America

Jamestown became the first English settlement in North America when three ships of colonists arrived on the Virginia coast in 1607. Unfortunately, the settlement had a rough start, with up to 90% of settlers dying by 1610.

Still, the colony's fortune changed in 1612 when John Rolfe helped cultivate a profitable strain of tobacco. However, after years of internal struggles and issues with local native populations, the Jamestown settlement was officially abandoned in 1699.

Richmond became the capital of Virginia in 1780

The city of Richmond became the capital of Virginia state in 1780. Founded in 1737, Richmond was selected to house Virginia's government when the previous capital of Williamsburg was deemed less secure during the American Revolution.

Richmond also served as the federal capital of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865.

Stonewall Jackson got his nickname at the Battle of Bull Run in Manassas

Virginia facts and history are often tied to the Civil War because of the state's importance in the conflict. One example of this is how Confederate General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson got his nickname.

General Jackson's troops held their ground against the advancing Union army at the Battle of Bull Run in Manassas, Virginia. Jackson was dubbed "Stonewall" because he refused to back down, despite being wounded himself.

Cool Facts About Virginia

Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains have the best fall color change in the region

Nature lovers travel to Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains every fall to catch the leaves changing colors. The colors there, especially along the Blue Ridge Parkway, are among the most vibrant in the southeastern United States. The best time of year to catch the Virginia landscape painted with orange and red hues is late October and early November.

Virginia has 132 miles of coastline on the Atlantic Ocean

The State of Virginia has 132 miles of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, including the popular area around Virginia Beach. But that's just a drop in the bucket of the 10,120 total shoreline miles within the state. Much of its lengthy shoreline winds throughout the massive Chesapeake Bay and the many inland rivers that feed into it.

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The Virginia State Fair was first held before the Civil War

The Virginia State Fair dates back to 1854, before the state seceded from the nation during the Civil War. This means it's nearly as old as the New York State Fair, the longest-running in the country, which was initially held in Syracuse, New York, in 1841. Today, the State Fair of Virginia attracts around 250,000 visitors annually.

ChapStick originated in Lynchburg, Virginia

Hate dry lips? You should be thankful for Lynchburg, Virginia, pharmacist Dr. Charles Browne Fleet, who invented ChapStick in the 1890s. Dr. Fleet, who had run a local Lynchburg pharmacy since 1869, sold the formula to friend John Morton in 1912 for just 5 USD. Morton began producing and promoting the lip balm, which took off following a design change in 1936.

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The College of William and Mary is the oldest university in Virginia

Founded in 1693, nearly a century before the American Revolution, the College of William and Mary is the oldest university in Virginia.

A couple of additional interesting Virginia facts include that the College of William and Mary was named after England's King William III and Queen Mary II and is home to the nation's first law school.

Random Facts About Virginia

The highest peak in Virginia is Mount Rogers, at 5,729 feet

Mount Rogers, part of the Appalachian Mountains, is the highest point in the state of Virginia. The summit of Mount Rogers sits at 5,729 feet above sea level.

The mountain was named after the state's first geologist, William Barton Rogers, and boasts hiking trails and herds of wild horses. Mount Rogers is in southern Virginia, just minutes from the North Carolina border.

John Smith was saved by Pocahontas in 1607

It's more than just a Disney movie: early English colonist John Smith was saved from execution by Pocahontas, daughter of the native Powhatan's chief.

After being captured by Native American warriors, Smith and his team were nearly executed before Pocahontas, around age 10, stepped in to intervene. Afterward, Pocahontas helped foster dialogue between the two groups until Smith returned to England in 1609.

Richmond, Virginia, was the capital of the Confederacy during the American Civil War

During the American Civil War, the city of Richmond, Virginia, became the capital of the Confederate States of America. Confederate President Jefferson Davis operated his government from the city.

He lived in Richmond's White House of the Confederacy until Union forces captured Richmond on April 3, 1865. The Civil War officially ended six days later with the surrender of the last Confederate troops.

Golfing legend Sam Snead grew up in Virginia

Sam Snead, widely considered one of the best professional golfers of all time, got his start in rural Virginia. Born in the city of Ashwood, VA, Snead's first job was as a caddy in nearby Hot Springs when he was seven. He turned pro in 1931, at age 19, and joined the Professional Golfers Association five years later.

Virginia's state fossil, Chesapecten jeffersonius, was discovered in 1687

Chesapecten jeffersonius is a type of ancient scallop native to the present-day Chesapeake Bay region. Scientists estimate that numerous species of the bivalve inhabited the area between three and eight million years ago.

Chesapecten jeffersonius was discovered in 1687, the first fossil documented by European settlers in North America, and became Virginia's official state fossil in 1993.

In Summary

Virginia has a rich history spanning more than 400 years since Jamestown, the first English colony in North America, was originally settled in 1607. The state has been home to more presidents than any other, and was also the site of the end of both the American Revolution and Civil War.

Hopefully you've learned plenty of trivia throughout this article, like how the Pentagon in Arlington is the largest office building in the world. But these 50 facts about Virginia, the Old Dominion State, only scratch the surface of all of the fun and interesting things there are to discover.

This article was edited by Alli Sewell.

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