Virginia

Lore & Background

Virginians fought for the independence of the Thirteen Colonies in the American Revolution and helped establish the new national government. During the American Civil War, the state government in Richmond joined the Confederacy, while many northwestern counties remained loyal to the Union, which led to the separation of West Virginia in 1863. Although the state was under one-party rule for nearly a century following the Reconstruction era, both major political parties have been competitive in Virginia since the repeal of racial segregation laws in the 1960s and 1970s. Virginia's state legislature is the Virginia General Assembly, which was established in July 1619, making it the oldest extant law-making body in North America. Unlike other states, cities and counties in Virginia function as approximate equals, but the state government manages local roads in most counties. It is also one of only three states where governors are prohibited from serving consecutive terms, alongside Kentucky and Mississippi.

Reader's Guide

Virginia holds a foundational place in American history as the site of the first permanent English colony, Jamestown, established in 1607. Its early economy, built on tobacco and reliant on enslaved labor, set patterns that shaped the broader colonial and antebellum South. The Virginia General Assembly, established in 1619, is the oldest extant law-making body in North America, reflecting early demands for local governance. Virginia's role in the American Revolution and the formation of the national government was significant, as was its leadership of the Confederacy during the Civil War, which led to the creation of West Virginia. The state's modern economy is diverse, with technology companies and federal agencies driving Northern Virginia, while Hampton Roads hosts the world's largest naval base. Virginia's political landscape shifted after the repeal of racial segregation laws, becoming competitive between the two major parties. Its unique governance structure, where cities and counties are treated as equals and governors cannot serve consecutive terms, distinguishes it from other states.

Did You Know?

• More than one-third of Virginia's population lives in Northern Virginia, which includes the most populous jurisdiction in the state, Fairfax County.
• Naval Station Norfolk in Hampton Roads is the world's largest naval base.