B.E.T. on Us!: A Few Facts about Firsts in West Virginia

Not only is West Virginia one of the most beautiful states, but it also boasts a rich, lessor known history of American firsts...

Proclamation!

West Virginia became a state June 20, 1863, in the midst of the Civil War. West Virginia is the only state in the Union to have acquired its sovereignty by proclamation by the President of the United States. Statehood was proclaimed by President Abraham Lincoln.

Thanks Mom

Mother’s Day as we know it today was first observed at Andrews Church in Grafton, West Virginia on May 10, 1908 when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother. Anna wanted to continue to honor her mother and because of her ongoing efforts, Woodrow Wilson signed the decree in 1914 creating Mother’s Day, the second Sunday in May, as a national holiday to honor mothers.

Power to the Kids

The first 4-H Camp in the United States was built in Randolph County and the first state 4-H camp was held in Lewis County, West Virginia at Jackson’s Mill. The 4-H is the nation’s largest youth development and empowerment organization.

Hoops

In 1984, West Virginia University player Georgeann Wells became the first woman to dunk a basketball in a college game. Playing in the Mountaineer Christmas Classic basketball tournament, Wells dunked a men’s regulation sized ball with 11:18 remaining in the game.

Sorry ‘bout that

The first state sales tax in the United States was put into effect in West Virginia in 1921. Since then 45 of the 50 states have followed our lead. Oops, sorry about that!

Fore!

Oakhurst Links, located in White Sulphur Springs, was founded in 1884 and is credited with the oldest organized golf club in America. The Ryder Cup match between the United States and Europe was held at the Greenbrier Resort in 1979. This was significant because it was the first time players from continental Europe participated in the Ryder Cup. It didn’t help as the U.S. soundly defeated them 17-11.

I’m on the Radio

West Virginia University played the University of Pittsburgh in the first football game ever to be broadcast on the radio, in 1921 on KDKA. Pitt won the game 21-13. Let’s go Mountaineers!