10 Interesting Virginia Facts

Virginia facts was nicknamed the Old Dominion for its loyalty to the exiled Charles II of England during the Puritan Commonwealth and Protectorate (1653–59). It has one of the longest continuous histories among the American states, dating from the settlement of Jamestown in the early 17th century. Here are the 10 interesting Virginia facts.

1. The major cash crop of Virginia facts is tobacco and many of the people who live there earn their living from the tobacco industry.

The major cash crop of Virginia facts is tobacco

2. Jamestown, the first of the original 13 Colonies was founded for the purpose of silk cultivation. Silk to be traded with the Court of King James. After blight fungus destroyed the mulberry trees (silkworm food), sericulturist planted tobacco as a cash crop.

Virginia facts Jamestown purpose of silk

3. Arlington County was originally part of the ten-mile square parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be part of Washington, DC. The U.S. Congress returned that portion of the land to the “Commonwealth of Virginia” following a referendum among its citizens.

Virginia facts Arlington County

4. Virginia facts that eight United States Presidents were born in Virginia: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, and Woodrow Wilson.

Virginia facts that eight United States Presidents were born in Virginia

5. Six Presidents’ wives were born in Virginia: Martha Washington, Martha Jefferson, Rachel Jackson, Letitia Tyler, Ellen Arthur, Edith Wilson.

Virginia facts Six Presidents wives were born in Virginia

6. Seven Presidents are buried in Virginia: Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Tyler, Taft and Kennedy.

Virginia facts Seven Presidents are buried in Virginia

7. On March 9, 1862 at Hampton Roads, Virginia, the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia (formerly the USS Merrimac) met in one of the most famous naval engagements in US history. Their battle, the first of its kind between metal armored vessels, changed for all time the nature of naval warfare.

Virginia facts at Hampton Roads, Virginia, the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia

8. Union Passenger Railway was the first successful electric street railway transit agency. It was formed in 1888 at Richmond.

Virginia facts Union Passenger Railway

9. Virginia facts the states of Kentucky & West Virginia were formed from sections of the state of Virginia.

Virginia facts Kentucky

10. Virginia facts is the home base for the United States Navy’s Atlantic Fleet.

Virginia facts is the home base for the United States Navy's Atlantic Fleet