Why is Virginia a Commonwealth? There is no such entity as the "State" of Virginia. While generally categorized as a state, Virginia has been the "Commonwealth" since independence from Great Britain. Virginia is first of four states that are Commonwealths, to include our daughter Commonwealth of Kentucky, which was formed from Virginia in 1792. Our first Constitution, adopted on June 29, 1776, directed that "Commissions and Grants shall run, In the Name of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and bear taste by the Governor with the Seal of the Commonwealth annexed." The Secretary of the Commonwealth to this day issues commissions in this manner. Among other references, the Constitution furthermore dictated that criminal indictments were to conclude "against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth." It is Virginia's Declaration of Rights adopted on June 12, 1776, that sets forth both our rights and philosophy of government. Virginia's founders viewed government as a contract between people who are "created equally free and independent." The underlying theory held that personal sovereignty was given over in order to create a society, which then in turn facilitated individual pursuits. As "all Power is…vested in, and consequently derived from the People," government was created to be the servant of the people. Of greatest importance, Virginia's founders envisioned that the people would possess certain traits, namely, "a firm Adherence to Justice, Moderation, Temperance, frugality, and Virtue." No concept was more central than that of public or civic virtue. The civically virtuous citizen was self-reliant and self-determinative while recognizing a duty to the general welfare, or common good, of the community. It is the figure of Virtue, standing over the dead body of Tyranny, that dominates the Great Seal of the Commonwealth. Virginians, as members of the Commonwealth, enjoy a higher degree of sovereignty. The continuing existence of the Commonwealth requires that each citizen be an active participant in government. All citizens must likewise be practitioners of civic virtue, dedicated to conducting themselves in a socially responsible manner. A state may or may not reflect the will of the people, but a Commonwealth simply cannot exist without the people's express consent. The Commonwealth is an extraordinary form of government based upon collective genius of its citizens. The Commonwealth is distinguished from, and superior to, a mere state by the greatness of the people of Virginia. Welcome, To Virginia Entertainers from Virginia Facts about Virginia Nostalgia Va. State Song Virginia Trivia Virginia Pictures Commonwealth of Virginia Famous People From Va. 6 Regions in VA. My World