Virginia history – A glance

The state of Virginia is called the ‘Mother of Presidents’ as eight American presidents were born in this state.  Jamestown, once the capital of Virginia was founded in 1607 and it is here the English settled permanently for the first time on American soil.  It is here that slavery was first introduced in 1619 and both American Revolution and the Civil War ended here.  Virginia history plays an important role in the history of America.

Virginia history tells us the state has another nickname The Old Dominion and the name Virginia was given in honor of the Virgin Queen’ Elizabeth of England.  Richmond is the capital of Virginia and the people of Virginia are known as Virginians’.  The states symbols are as follows: flower (American dogwood), bird (cardinal), dog (American foxhound), tree (dogwood) and shell (oyster shell).

Virginia history has it that tobacco was the cause of rising plantation owners and introduction of black slaves in the 17th century; and the Great Awakening of the 19th century led to a more democratic uprising.  Soon the tobacco industry fell, slaves were given freedom and by the 20th century Virginia was a devastated state.

Virginia history changed and it rose again after the Second World War and ever since never looked back.  The thriving industries of the state are less agricultural and more high-tech.  Highly educated people work in different sectors like defense, education, technical, and many organizations associated with the central federal government.

Places of historic interest in Virginia are Monticello, the home of Americas third president Thomas Jefferson; Shirley plantation; Mt. Vernon; Virginia Museum of Natural History; Black Soldiers Memorial; George Washington’s birthplace national monument; and the Gillfield Baptist Church (one of the only two oldest black churches in America).

Virginia history is long and filled with different cultural invasions besides the indigenous people who were there before the arrival of the English.  The history relates stories of wars, battles, skirmishes, economic lavishness, downfall of the occupiers and the rise of a new era.