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 […]

Thursday, October 9, 2025 Good Morning! On this day in 1781, George Washington fired the first American gun at the Battle of Yorktown after his forces finished setting up their artillery batteries. The Americans and French maintained bombardments until the British surrendered on Oct. 19. Many readers of The Virginia Flyover didn’t mince words about […]

Wednesday, October 8, 2025 Good Morning! On this day in 1869, the General Assembly ratified the 14th and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, four and a half years after Robert E. Lee’s surrender marked the end of the Civil War in Virginia. The Commonwealth was readmitted to the Union the following year. More than […]

Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Good Morning! On this day in 1763, King George III issued a proclamation instructing American colonists not to settle west of the Appalachian Mountains. The goal was to protect the British system of mercantilism and prevent run-ins with Native Americans.  In Henry County recently, a man who’d lost money playing a […]

Monday, October 6, 2025 Good Morning! On this day in 1817, the cornerstone was laid for what would become the first building on the University of Virginia’s campus. President James Monroe was there, along with former presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Before Americans could have a country, we needed a Navy. The Continental Congress […]

Friday, October 3, 2025 Good Morning! On this day in 1864, Lt. John Rodgers Meigs was killed near Dayton in an exchange with three Confederate scouts. Union commander Gen. Philip Sheridan ordered that the entire town be burned to the ground. He later rescinded the order, but still destroyed 30 buildings, which came to be […]

Thursday, October 2, 2025 Good Morning! On this day in 1925, the Church Hill tunnel in Richmond collapsed as a steam locomotive pulling 10 cars was passing through. At least four people were killed, with two remaining buried inside the tunnel for all time. Officials in Virginia Beach want to assure people that its numbers […]