Below is a history of the events that have changed Richmond and the areas
surrounding it (also known as the Greater Richmond Area).
From 1693 until 1997, here is a list of events that have impacted the way you see Richmond today.
1693-The College of William and Mary is founded.
1775-Patrick Henry gave his famous "Give Me Libery, or Give
Me Death" speech at St. John's Church in Richmond.
1776-Virginia Declared its independence. Thomas Jefferson
of Virginia wrote the Declaration of Independence.
1792-Original Capitol building is finished.
1788, June 25-Virginia's statehood.
1811, December 26-Richmond Theatre Fire.
1828-Virginia State Library is founded in Richmond.
1861-West Virginia separates from Virginia.
Virginia secedes from the Union to the Confederacy. The Civil War begins.
1865, April 12-Richmond, the capital of the Confederacy, is
burned by Union troops.
1865- final year of the Civil War. The period of reconstruction begins.
1870-Virginia was readmitted to the Union.
1870, April 12- sixty people died when the courtroom above the House of Delegates
collapsed.
1887-The first YWCA in the South is founded in Richmond.
1938- Richmond's first shopping center is opened.
Here is a continuation of the list above starting from June 26, 1996.
1996, June 26- the U.S. Supreme Court rules that VMI must admit women.
1997, May 1-Kati and Kristen Lisk disappear from their Spotslyvania County home.
1997, May 7-The Lisk girls bodies are found in the South Anna River in Hanover County
six days after their disappearance.
1997, May 18-Pavilion I at UVA collapses during graduation
killing one and injuring 18.
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