It's West Virginia Day June 20th. The state was formed illegally by a minority insurrection 145 years ago. Beautiful state, but with an unlawfully formed government. This is lifted from West Virginia's own archives. History records the controversy.

"there is no evidence that the majority of people within the counties which were to compose the new state had ever given its assent to its formation."

Fruits of the Civil War, "Old Dominion" Virginia was ripped in half. Virginia has never officially recognized the rogue state of West Virginia in law. Lincoln himself called it merely "expeditious", not legal.

Lincoln and Congress had no more authority to permit the state anymore than Bush could authorize West Pennsylvania or Northern California.

During the Civil War those who supported the Yankee Union position were called "anti-Virginians". State's rights was greatly trampled which the Constitution itself in the 10th amendment defends. It's been rougher eve

Fascinating - I had no idea that WV's history was so contentious!

I knew West Virgina separated from Virginia during the war, but I never thought of it being done illiegally... Doesn't really matter much anymore though.

I love my state. will drink a heinie in your honor, water under the bridge. God Bless West Virginia and the USA. Mountaineers are always free.

Just friendly people, we are caring Americans, yes West Virginia does exist, I have friends from the EU, China, and India. We have our faults, our differences, our happiness, and we forgot about the Civil War about as quick as " Mission Accomplished". History is only good as the author

cab...I wish "Mountaineers are always free", but increasingly this is not the case with REAL ID, etc.

West Virginia has an excellent Constitution (because Confederates got involved after the hijackers from Wheeling usurped authority) that most citizens are ignorant of, particularly about continuity of Constitutional government, which the legislators and governors ignore.

most powerful quote is from the Senator from Kentucky, who objected:

I hold that there is, legally and constitutionally no such state in existence as the state of West Virginia and consequently no senators from such a state.

This is when law actually mattered in Congress.

Now look at this passed by Virginia in its own declaration of rights in 1776!

That the people have a right to uniform government; and therefore, that no government separate from, or independent of, the government of Virginia, ought to be erected or established within the limits thereof.
-- Declaration of Rights; Adopted unanimously June 12, 1776 Virginia Convention of Delegates

I see your point about the legality of the separation... It's certainly interesting.