On June 20, 1863, amidst the turmoil of the Civil War, West Virginia was admitted to the Union as the 35th state, the only state to form by separating from a Confederate state (Virginia). This event was marked by years of disagreement over secession and significant differences in economic and social structures between the western counties of Virginia and the rest of the state. West Virginia’s admission is notable for its unique circumstances and highlights the complex political and social challenges of the Civil War era.
