Thursday, October 23, 2025 Good Morning! On this day in 1878, the Gale of ‘78 crossed eastern Virginia. Flooding completely submerged Cobb and Smith Islands, and 18 people were killed when the A.S. Davis went ashore near Virginia Beach. College sports are in flux. Here in the Commonwealth, Virginia Tech is looking for a new football […]

Wednesday, October 22, 2025 Good Morning! On this day in 1864, the Richmond Daily Dispatch provided details about the execution a day earlier of Ben and William, two slaves who were convicted of burglary. Several readers responded to our poll question about rallies and demonstrations in the Commonwealth. One noted that he “attended a rally featuring […]

Tuesday, October 21, 2025 Good Morning! On this day in 1861, Union troops were routed by Confederates at the Battle of Ball’s Bluff in Loudoun County. Col. Edward Baker, a sitting U.S. Senator, was killed in the fighting, the only active American lawmaker ever killed on the battlefield. Although Virginia Tech football is limping along […]

Monday, October 20, 2025 Good Morning! On this day in 1924, Ensign Henry Clay Drexler and Boatswain’s Mate First Class George Robert Cholister lost their lives as they attempted to prevent an explosion on the light cruiser USS Trenton off Norfolk. They were awarded the Medal of Honor. Celebrities and politicians are weighing in with endorsements […]

Friday, October 17, 2025 Good Morning! On this day in 1781, an officer with a white flag and a drummer beating a parley emerged from the British lines at Yorktown. The besieged Lord Charles Cornwallis formally asked General George Washington to offer him terms for surrender. Just two days later, Cornwallis signed the final Articles […]

Thursday, October 16, 2025 Good Morning! On this day in 1859, abolitionist John Brown launched an unsuccessful raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry in what was then Virginia. Brown and his party surrendered 36 hours later to federal marines led by Robert E. Lee and J. E. B. Stuart. Brown was executed on December 2. […]

Wednesday, October 15, 2025 Good Morning! On this day in 1850, the Virginia Constitutional Convention convened in Richmond. The new constitution, which was adopted the following year, allowed all white men in the Commonwealth to vote. It also permitted voters to elect most public officials, including the governor. Hikers know Virginia has what may be the […]

Tuesday, October 14, 2025 Good Morning! On this day in 2019, the Virginia Women’s Monument Commission dedicated Voices from the Garden, an installation of seven statues on the grounds of the state capitol. It now includes 12 statues. The memorial honors women who have shaped life in the Commonwealth, including first lady Martha Washington, Pamunkey chieftain […]

Monday, October 13, 2025 Good Morning! On this day in 1670, the General Assembly passed a law that attempted to define the distinction between an indentured servant and a slave. Under the policy, non-Christians brought to Virginia could be enslaved for life, while Christians would be freed from servitude at age 30 or after 12 […]

Friday, October 10, 2025 Good Morning! On this day in 1774, the Battle of Point Pleasant pitted Virginia settlers against members of the Shawnee and Mingo tribes over land west of the Appalachian Mountains. The settlers won the fight and forced the tribes to retreat westward. Last night, Norfolk State hosted the only debate of […]