On April 17, 1861, delegates of the Richmond Convention approved an ordinance of secession, leading to the withdrawal of Virginia from the Union.
Learn more:
Richmond Convention
Virginia Ordinance of Secession
Voting Results on the Virginia Ordinance of
Secession
A Bit of History: Recollections of the Richmond
Convention
On April 17, 1970, archaeologists and state officials determined that a majority of the "mystery walls" atop Armstrong Mountain in Fayette County had been destroyed by strip mining.
Learn more:
"Smaller Parts of Mystery Walls Reported Unharmed"
"The Mystery of Armstrong Mountain: Has Prehistoric Site Been Stripped?"
"Walls Tumbled Before Strippers, City Man Vows"
"Was There Actually An Ancient Wall In Fayette?"
"The Old Stone Wall"
"Prehistoric Remains at Mount Carbon"