The history of the creation of the 35th state, West Virginia, was the topic of conversation at a Lunch with Books Program presentation at the Ohio County Public Library, held on Tues., June 19. According to David Zimring, history instructor at UMBC, it was described as “Secession in favor of the Constitution.”
Zimring recounted the series of events that led to western Virginia seceding from Virginia at a time when the nation was becoming increasingly divided about the constitutionality of slavery. “West Virginia’s leaders needed to convince the federal government that West Virginia statehood was a legal and necessary measure that helped the Union,” said Zimring.
