Ancient mountains, Civil War battlefields and modern cities make Tennessee an amazing and popular destination in the southern United States.
History of Tennessee
The state of Tennessee really began with a 1772 frontier pact, the Watauga Association, which is generally regarded as the first constitutional government west of the Appalachian Mountains. What is now Tennessee used to be in North Carolina, but Tennessee was admitted to the Union as a state in its own right on June 1, 1796. Tennessee was the last state to leave the Union and join the Confederacy during the American Civil War, and became the first state to be readmitted at the end. The war ravaged over the state, turning Nashville, Shiloh, Chattanooga and endless other locations into blood-soaked battlefields.
Tenessee was settled by rugged pioneers who often lived in log cabins.
With a diverse landscape of mountains and plains, Tennessee rebounded faster than the rest of the South from Reconstruction. The economy diversified throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries to include military installations and hydroelectric power plants. The city of Oak Ridge became the headquarters for uranium enrichment during World War II, directly aiding the development of atomic weapons.
Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis.
In addition to economic contributions, Tennessee is most notable for its role in American music. Rockabilly and country particularly owe a debt of gratitude to the innovation of 20th century musicians here, while Memphis is usually considered to be the birthplace of the blues, as well as the deathplace of Elvis. Today the Grand Ole Opry, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and the construction of major studios has led Nashville to become the worldwide hub for country music.
Top Things to Do in Tennessee
Nashville – Known for its offerings to the realm of music, Nashville is also home to Tennessee’s government headquarters and the Tennessee State Museum.
Shiloh National Battlefield – A memorial set aside to remember one of the Civil War’s bloodiest events.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park – There’s a reason that the Smokies are one of America’s top destinations. It’s where history and nature collide.
Burgess Falls State Park – Three beautiful waterfalls grace this central Tennessee park.
Memphis – Home of blues, soul and rock ‘n’ roll and BBQ. Don’t miss Elvis’ Graceland!
