Changes

[[Image:11121.gif|thumb|right|The state flag of Virginia.]]

[[Image:11121.gif|thumb|right|The state flag of Virginia.]]

'''Virginia''', so named in honor  of the "virgin queen" of [[England]], [[Queen Elizabeth I]], was nicknamed the ''Old Dominion'' by King Charles II because Virginia remained loyal to the crown during the [[English Civil War]] and throughout [[Oliver Cromwell]]'s years. Formally known as the Commonwealth of Virginia, this commonwealth was one of the first [[colony|colonies]] in [[North America]] in the 1600s and joined the [[United States of America]] in 1788.  

'''Virginia''', so named in honor  of the "virgin queen" of [[England]], [[Queen Elizabeth I]]. Virginia was nicknamed the ''Old Dominion'' by King Charles II because Virginia remained loyal to the crown during the [[English Civil War]] and throughout [[Oliver Cromwell]]'s years. Formally known as the Commonwealth of Virginia, this commonwealth was one of the first [[colony|colonies]] in [[North America]] in the 1600s and joined the [[United States of America]] in 1788.  

Originally, roughly one-third of the federal city at [[Washington D.C.]] was on the Virginia side of the Potomac, but in 1847 this territory reverted back to Virginia. However, because of Virginia's proximity to [[Washington D.C.]], Virginia is the home to many important government buildings and agencies such as [[the Pentagon]], [[Arlington National Cemetery]] and the [[U.S. Patent and Trade Office]].  

Originally, roughly one-third of the federal city at [[Washington D.C.]] was on the Virginia side of the Potomac, but in 1847 this territory reverted back to Virginia. However, because of Virginia's proximity to [[Washington D.C.]], Virginia is the home to many important government buildings and agencies such as [[the Pentagon]], [[Arlington National Cemetery]] and the [[U.S. Patent and Trade Office]].