Yiran's West Virginia Timeline By 828137 Period: Jan 1, 1742 to Jan 1, 2016 History of West Virginia Feb 14, 1742 Coal is discovered in West Virginia. May 12, 1861 West Virginia becomes a state. Feb 12, 1872 West Virginians approve their state constitution. Mar 13, 1912 Miners in the state fight for higher pay. The fights were often violent. Apr 26, 1972 A dam on Buffalo Creek collapses. The flood kills 125 people. Aug 19, 2006 New mining safty laws are passed. This happened because 14 miners were killed in less than 1 month....