June 20th: WV DAY

[LadyTevar]

A State of Convenience

[quote]ALMOST a century and a half ago, amid the horror and tragedy of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln created a loyal Northern state from the western mountains of rebellious, slaveholding Virginia. The birth of West Virginia became official on June 20, 1863.

Today’s holiday stirs many feelings, from memories of U.S. loyalty that prevented mountaineers from following the breakaway South, to the wistful attachment West Virginians share for the hills of home. As usual, we reprint some special thoughts for West Virginia’s birthday:

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“Summon every energy of your mind and heart and strength, and let the traitors who desecrate our borders see, and let history in all time record it, there was one green spot — one Swiss canton — one Scottish highland — one county of Kent — one province of Vendee — where unyielding patriotism rallied, and gathered, and stood, and won a noble triumph.â€