NOTE: This story is taken from http://www.civilwarprofiles.com/lincoln-signs-proclamation-admitting-new-state-of-west-virginia/; pictures from many sources.
West Virginia – June 20, 1863, the 35th state of the United States of America was admitted to the Union as West Virginia. Previously, on April 20, 1863, US President Abraham Lincoln signed a proclamation, effective in 60-days (on June 20), admitting West Virginia into the Union as the 35th state. Formation of the state, however, had required some creative legal maneuvering around the Constitution of the United States.
