What year did West Virginia become a state?

West Virginia became a state on June 20, 1863. This date marks its official admission to the Union as the 35th state. The formation of West Virginia was significant because it occurred during the American Civil War, a time when the region split from Virginia in response to differing loyalties and political views regarding secession. The statehood was largely driven by the desire of the western counties of Virginia to remain part of the Union. Thus, 1863 is an important historical milestone in understanding both West Virginia’s identity and its role in the Civil War era.