The first shot of the American Revolutionary War was fired, leaving 8 Americans dead and 10 injured. Only one British soldier was injured. The first shot, taking place in Lexington, Virginia, is nicknamed "The Shot Heard 'Round The World".
The Continental Congress is petitioned by residents of western Virginia for the establishment of a separate government for their region because of the many differences between western and eastern Virginia.
President James Madison signs a declaration of war against Britain . Both the House of Representatives and Congress were divided on the issue, however ultimately voted in favor of war due to the Britain's attempts to restrict U.S. trade, Britain's violation of maritime rights and the impressment of U.S. merchant seamen, and Britain's encouragement of Indian hostility towards Americans trying to expand West.
An epidemic of malignant disease stalked travelers and residents of eastern Jefferson County. The outbreak caused many fatalities in Shepherdstown and Harpers Ferry. This "unknown" disease may have been a form of Typhus Fever.
After much tension, the Civil War broke out when Confederate forces bombarded the Union controlled Fort Sumter in Charleston Bay.
The Virginia State Convention moves to secede from the Union by an emotional vote of 88 to 55, after previously voting against secession only weeks before.
The movement to secede from the Union was ratified, however the majority of Western Counties (supposedly) opposed it's ratification. This was not the case with Jefferson County, nor Berkeley County, where vote tallies appear to have been botched. In fact, original maps show Jefferson and Berkeley Counties remaining as part of Virginia. Historical evidence proves that the two counties resident's actually were in favor of succession, and sympathies still lie with South today.
The Ordinance of Secession is online at the Library of Virginia. The original ordinance was inscribed on parchment and signed by 92 convention members. Later during the second and third conventions, 142 members of the convention signed a ceremonial parchment of the ordinance.
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