What significant event occurred in West Virginia during the Civil War?

During the Civil War, West Virginia achieved statehood, becoming a separate state from Virginia. This significant event took place on June 20, 1863, when West Virginia was admitted to the Union. The formation of West Virginia was largely influenced by the differing attitudes toward slavery; while eastern Virginia largely supported the Confederacy, the northwestern counties of Virginia were more aligned with the Union. This divergence in political and social ideology is what led to the desire for separation and ultimately the creation of a new state.

The other options pertain to events that are historically significant but did not specifically relate to West Virginia's unique circumstances during the Civil War. For instance, the Battle of Gettysburg and the First Battle of Bull Run were important Civil War battles but took place elsewhere, and the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation was a critical national event primarily concerning the status of enslaved people in Confederate states.