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15 Interesting Facts About Tennessee

Tennessee is a state in the southeast of the United States, renowned for its illustrious past, stunning natural surroundings, and dynamic culture. Tennessee is home to a distinctive fusion of old and new, rural and urban, traditional and modern, from the Great Smoky Mountains to the busy metropolis of Nashville and Memphis.

Tennessee has something to offer for everyone, whether you want to see the state’s numerous museums and landmarks, indulge in some of its world-famous food, or simply take in the sights and sounds of this vibrant and diverse region. Here are top 15 interesting facts about Tennessee.

1.Tennessee is in the southeastern region of the United States

The state of Tennessee is situated in the American south. In addition to Kentucky and Virginia to the north, North Carolina to the east, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi to the south, and Arkansas and Missouri to the west, it shares its borders with eight more states.

Because it served as a gateway to both the Atlantic coast and the Mississippi River Valley, the state’s strategic location in the southeast has been crucial to its history and development. From the rough Appalachian Mountains in the east to the rolling hills and fertile valleys in the center to the flat plains and river deltas in the western section of the state, Tennessee is home to a broad range of landscapes.

2.Nashville is the capital of Tennessee

Photo by Tanner Boriack on

Tennessee’s capital is Nashville and it is the second-largest city in Tennessee after Memphis and is situated in the state’s center region. Nashville is renowned for its robust music industry, historic sites, and booming economy.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Grand Ole Opry, and the Ryman Auditorium are just a few of the city’s well-known landmarks. Nashville is a hub for higher education, home to a number of renowned institutions and colleges, including Belmont University and Vanderbilt University.

3.Tennessee is known as the “Volunteer State”

Photo by Drew Beamer on

Tennessee is referred to as the State of Volunteers in the early nineteenth century, when Tennessee was a major player in the War of 1812. Governor Willie Blount called for 1,500 volunteers to enlist in General Andrew Jackson’s army to fight the British in New Orleans during this struggle.

Tennessee residents heeded the call in large numbers, gaining a reputation for their readiness to defend their nation and serve in the military. Throughout Tennessee’s history, this attitude of patriotism and voluntarism persisted. Many Tennesseans served their country by fighting and dying in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War, respectively.

4.It is home to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Photo by Sarah Swainson on

Located in Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park spans a sizable area of more than 500,000 acres. Millions of people visit it every year because of its breath-taking natural beauty, diversified fauna, and rich cultural heritage, making it one of the most popular national parks in the United States.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is renowned for its cloud-covered peaks, luxuriant forests, cascading waterfalls, and picturesque hiking trails. Black bears, elk, white-tailed deer, and more than 200 different species of birds are among the many animals that call it home.

With several ancient structures and locations, such as log cabins, grist mills, and other sites, the park’s rich cultural history plays a significant role in its appeal.

5.Tennessee is the birthplace of various music genres

From rock & roll, country, and the blues Tennessee has been the origin of these significant musical genres. With strong ties to the history and culture of the American South, the state’s rich musical tradition has had a significant impact on the growth of popular music around the world.

The heart of the country music industry, Nashville in particular, is referred to as the “Music City” and is home to numerous renowned recording studios, record companies, and concert venues. The Grand Ole Opry, one of the most famous music venues in the world, and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which honors the origins and influence of country music, are both located in the city.

6.The state bird of Tennessee is the mockingbird

Photo by Mark Olsen on

The Northern Mockingbird is Tennessee’s official bird (Mimus polyglottos). This medium-sized bird is renowned for its aptitude to imitate the songs and calls of other birds as well as sounds from its surroundings, such sirens and automobile alarms.

In Tennessee, the mockingbird is a year-round inhabitant and can be seen all throughout the state in different environments, including as parks, gardens, and woodlands. It is a renowned state symbol and a favourite among birdwatchers and nature lovers thanks to its melodic powers, remarkable appearance, and adaptability.

7.The state flower of Tennessee is the iris

Photo by Olesya Blinskaya on

Iris, the state flower of Tennessee, is a kind of flowering plant renowned for its spectacular flowers and eye-catching hues. Irises are members of the Iridaceae family and are native to various regions of the globe.

Large, fragrant flowers that can be purple, blue, white, yellow, or pink grow on this particular variety of iris, which is well renowned for them. Irises are a ubiquitous sight in Tennessee’s gardens, parks, and other outdoor areas. They normally bloom in the late spring or early summer. The iris has been employed in a variety of cultural and symbolic contexts in addition to being beautiful.

8.Tennessee was among the states to secede from the Union

In reality, during the American Civil War, Tennessee was among the first states to renounce the Union. When it came to the question of secession, Tennessee was initially a divided state.

In June 1861, a vote was held in the state to decide whether it should leave the Union and join the Confederate. The majority of Tennesseans supported secession, according to the ballot results, and the state formally seceded on June 8, 1861.

Several Southern states had already left the Union at the time Tennessee declared its secession, including South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. Shortly after Tennessee, Virginia, then North Carolina, Arkansas, and then North Carolina seceded.

9.Elvis Presley’s Graceland mansion is located in Memphis, Tennessee

Image from Elvis Presley’s home Graceland in Memphis, TN. July, 2018, photo by Bjoertvedt.

Memphis, Tennessee is home to the renowned Graceland residence, owned by Elvis Presley. Thousands of Elvis lovers from around the world come to this state’s most well-known tourism destination each year.

Elvis recorded several of his most well-known songs in Graceland, where he spent the most of his career living. A sizable collection of Elvis memorabilia, including his well-known jumpsuits, gold albums, and other personal belongings, can be found throughout the property.

Graceland is now a public attraction with a range of tours and displays available for guests to enjoy. The house tour, which takes guests inside Elvis’s home and provides them with an insight into his life and work, is one of the most well-liked activities at Graceland.

10.It was the first state to be readmitted after the Civil War

After the Civil War, Tennessee was the first state to be re-admitted to the Union. On July 24, 1866, just over a year after the end of the Civil War, Tennessee was re-admitted to the Union.

The fact that Tennessee had hosted substantial military activities during the conflict and that Union forces had successfully taken over much of the state by 1863 contributed to the state’s early readmission. Tennessee was also one of the first states to leave the Union, and as President Andrew Johnson is a native of Tennessee, he was keen to see the state re-admitted as quickly as possible.

11.The Tennessee state motto is “Agriculture and Commerce”

The state motto of Tennessee is “Agriculture and Commerce,” which acknowledges the historical significance of both sectors of the economy and culture of the state. Since Tennessee’s founding, agriculture has played a vital role in the state’s economy.

Cotton, tobacco, and grain may all be grown in the state thanks to its good soil, agreeable climate, and plentiful water supply. Trade and commerce have always played a significant role in the development of Tennessee’s economy.

The state has become a hub for trade and business due to its location in the south-eastern part of the country, close to important transportation corridors like the Mississippi River and the Appalachian Mountains.

12.The Jack Daniel’s Distillery is located in Lynchburg, Tennessee

Buildings at the Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee, United States, photo by Brian Stansberry.

Tennessee is home to the Jack Daniel’s Distillery, a well-known distillery that is renowned for creating some of the best Tennessee whiskey available. Despite its tiny size, the town draws a large number of tourists every year who come to tour the distillery and try the whiskey because it is known for being the birthplace of Jack Daniel’s.

The distillery, which is housed in a number of structures including the original distillery, barrelhouses, and warehouses where the whiskey is aged to perfection, is located on a 1,500-acre estate. Visitors to the distillery can choose from a range of excursions, such as a basic tour that provides an overview of the facility and an insight into the production of whiskey.

13.The Tennessee River is among the longest river in the United States

Market Street Bridge in Chattanooga, TN, photo by â±®.

At a length of around 652 miles from its headwaters in eastern Tennessee to its confluence with the Ohio River in western Kentucky, the Tennessee River is really the 25th-longest river in the country. Nonetheless, the Tennessee River, a significant tributary of the Ohio River, is a prominent waterway in the Southeast of the United States.

It passes through a number of states, including Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Georgia, and is renowned for its picturesque landscapes, diverse animals, and extensive cultural past. The river has been crucial to the growth of the area since it gives villages along its banks access to transit, agriculture, and hydroelectric power.

14.Dolly Parton was born and raised in Tennessee

Memphis, Tennessee, USA, photo by Domenico Convertini.

Tennessee is where Dolly Parton was born and reared. She was born on January 19, 1946, in Sevier County, Tennessee, and raised in a modest cabin in the outlying community of Locust Ridge. Dolly grew up in a difficult and impoverished environment, but she was able to find comfort in music and started playing at a young age.

She began her singing career in Tennessee on regional radio and television programs before relocating to Nashville in the late 1960s to pursue a career in music. With successes like “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “9 to 5” that became standards of the genre, Dolly swiftly rose to become one of the most well-known country music performers of her generation.

15.The state reptile of Tennessee is the eastern box turtle

Photo by Curology on

In 1995, the eastern box turtle was chosen as Tennessee’s official state reptile. Tennessee is one of the eastern United States’ many states where the eastern box turtle, a type of terrestrial turtle, can be found. It is distinguished by both its characteristic dome-shaped shell and its vivid, multi-coloured markings, which differ from individual to individual.

Box turtles are prized for their function in keeping insects and other tiny animals in check and are a crucial component of Tennessee’s environment. Despite the fact that it is against the law to take box turtles from the wild in Tennessee, they are nonetheless a well-liked pet.

Indeed, Tennessee is a state with a dynamic culture, varied natural beauty, and a rich history. Tennessee offers a variety of attractions and activities for both tourists and locals, from the Great Smoky Mountains in the east to the Mississippi River in the west.

Tennessee has something to offer, regardless of your interests in music, history, outdoor activities, or just enjoying some warm Southern hospitality. Tennessee is a state that is absolutely worth visiting due to its pleasant environment, hospitable residents, and well-known attractions.