The three ships carrying settlers who would later found Virginia, the first of the Thirteen Colonies, departed England.
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Virginia became the first state to ratify the Articles of Confederation.
The US Bill of Rights was ratified when Virginia gave its approval, which became amendments 1-10 of the constitution.
The first full-scale wind tunnel for airplane testing was built at Langley Field, Virginia. For ten years, it remained the largest wind tunnel in the world.
Beltway sniper attacks begin.
The first US fire extinguisher patent was granted to Alanson Crane, Virginia.