Historical1863
West Virginia Admitted to the Union
West Virginia was admitted as the 35th state after its western counties separated from Virginia over the issue of secession. It was the only state created by seceding from a Confederate state during the Civil War, with Congress and President Lincoln approving the partition.
Why It Matters
West Virginia's creation demonstrated that loyalty to the Union and constitutional governance could override state boundaries, reflecting the principle that government derives its authority from the consent of the governed.