History of Tennessee in Timeline

Tennessee is a landlocked state in the Southeastern region of the United States, bordering eight other states. It is the 36th-largest and 15th-most populous state, with an estimated population of 7.22 million as of 2024.

1901: Tennessee legislative districts not redrawn

Tennessee did not redraw its legislative districts between 1901 and 1961, leading to unequal political power between rural and urban areas.

1907: Tennessee bans alcohol sale

In 1907, Tennessee started banning the sale, transportation, and production of alcohol through a series of laws, becoming the first state to effectively do so.

1909: Blues epicenter

As early as 1909, Memphis's Beale Street was considered the epicenter of the blues, with musicians such as W. C. Handy performing in its clubs.

1915: Start of the Great Migration

In 1915, the Great Migration began, leading many Black Tennesseans to relocate to industrial cities in the Northeast and Midwest due to increasing racial segregation and poor living standards.

December 30, 1917: Lowest recorded temperature in Tennessee

On December 30, 1917, Mountain City recorded the lowest temperature in Tennessee at −32 °F (−36 °C).

1917: Tennessee bans alcohol production

By 1917, Tennessee completed its ban on the sale, transportation, and production of alcohol through a series of laws. During Prohibition, illicit production of moonshine became extremely common in East Tennessee.

July 9, 1918: Worst rail accident in U.S. history

On July 9, 1918, Tennessee experienced the worst rail accident in U.S. history when two passenger trains collided head-on in Nashville, resulting in 101 deaths and 171 injuries.

August 18, 1920: Tennessee ratifies the Nineteenth Amendment

On August 18, 1920, Tennessee became the 36th and final state needed to ratify the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, granting women the right to vote.

1920: Tennesseans supported Warren G. Harding

In 1920, Tennesseans narrowly supported Warren G. Harding over Ohio Governor James Cox in the presidential election.

1925: Scopes Trial

In 1925, John T. Scopes was tried for teaching evolution in Dayton, Tennessee, in violation of the Butler Act. William Jennings Bryan prosecuted Scopes, and Clarence Darrow defended him, drawing national attention to the creationism-evolution debate.

1925: Grand Ole Opry broadcast

The Grand Ole Opry, based in Nashville, has broadcast continuously since 1925, making it the longest-running radio show in the country.

1926: Congress authorized the establishment of a national park

In 1926, Congress authorized the establishment of a national park in the Great Smoky Mountains.

1927: Beginning of country music

In 1927, the Victor recording sessions in Bristol generally mark the beginning of the country music genre.

1928: Tennesseans voted for Herbert Hoover

In 1928, Tennessee voted more decisively for Herbert Hoover over New York Governor Al Smith in the presidential election.

1929: The Great Depression struck

In 1929, The Great Depression struck and much of Tennessee was severely impoverished even by national standards.

August 9, 1930: Highest recorded temperature in Tennessee

On August 9, 1930, Perryville recorded the highest temperature in Tennessee at 113 °F (45 °C).

1930: End of first wave of the Great Migration

By 1930, the first wave of the Great Migration concluded, which saw many Black Tennesseans leaving for industrial cities in the Northeast and Midwest, driven by racial segregation and poor living standards.

1933: Creation of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

In 1933, as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) was created to provide electricity, jobs, flood control, improved waterway navigation, agricultural development, and economic modernization to the Tennessee River Valley.

1934: Great Smoky Mountains National Park officially established

In 1934, The Great Smoky Mountains National Park was officially established.

1940: Great Smoky Mountains National Park dedicated

In 1940, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was dedicated.

1954: Brown v. Board of Education

In 1954, The U.S. Supreme Court ruled racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional in Brown v. Board of Education.

1955: Oak Ridge High School integrated

In 1955, Oak Ridge High School became the first school in Tennessee to be integrated after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional in Brown v. Board of Education.

1958: WGC Invitational held in Memphis

Since 1958, the WGC Invitational, a PGA Tour golf tournament, has been held in Memphis.

May 1960: Nashville lunch counters desegregated

Between February and May 1960, a series of sit-ins organized by the Nashville Student Movement led to the desegregation of lunch counters in Nashville.

1961: Tennessee legislative districts not redrawn

Tennessee did not redraw its legislative districts between 1901 and 1961, leading to unequal political power between rural and urban areas.

1962: Baker v. Carr case

In 1962, in the landmark Baker v. Carr case, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that courts could review state legislative districting after Tennessee had not redrawn its districts from 1901 to 1961.

1962: Baker v. Carr U.S. Supreme Court case

In 1962, the U.S. Supreme Court case Baker v. Carr arose from a challenge to the longstanding rural bias of apportionment of seats in the Tennessee legislature and established the principle of "one man, one vote".

1965: Voting Rights Act passage

Not until after passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were African Americans able to regain their full voting rights in Tennessee.

1966: Howard Baker elected as U.S. Senator

In 1966, Howard Baker became the first Republican U.S. Senator from Tennessee since Reconstruction.

April 4, 1968: Martin Luther King Jr. assassinated in Memphis

On April 4, 1968, James Earl Ray assassinated civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis, where King was supporting striking African American sanitation workers.

1970: Elections of Winfield Dunn and Bill Brock

In 1970, the elections of Winfield Dunn as governor and Bill Brock to the U.S. Senate helped make the GOP competitive among Whites in statewide elections.

1970: Tennessee becomes one of the fastest-growing states

Since 1970, with the exception of a slump in the 1980s, Tennessee has been one of the fastest-growing states in the nation, benefiting from the larger Sun Belt phenomenon.

1971: Citizens to Preserve Overton Park v. Volpe U.S. Supreme Court case

In 1971, The U.S. Supreme Court sided with an activist group in the case Citizens to Preserve Overton Park v. Volpe and established the framework for judicial review of government agencies.

1972: Peak of coal production

Coal production in Tennessee peaked in 1972.

1972: Knoxville Smokies played continuously

Since 1972, the Knoxville Smokies have played continuously.

1976: Chattanooga Lookouts played continuously

Since 1976, the Chattanooga Lookouts have played continuously.

1978: Nashville Sounds began play

In 1978, the Nashville Sounds began play.

1978: Tennessee Valley Authority v. Hill U.S. Supreme Court case

In 1978, the U.S. Supreme Court case Tennessee Valley Authority v. Hill was decided leading to amendments of the Endangered Species Act.

1980: Tennessee had nine U.S. House seats

Since the 1980 census, Tennessee has had nine U.S. House of Representatives seats.

1982: 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville

In 1982, the World's Fair, also known as the Knoxville International Energy Exposition, was held in Knoxville with the theme "Energy Turns the World."

1986: Homecoming '86

In 1986, Tennessee held a yearlong celebration of the state's heritage and culture called "Homecoming '86".

1993: Winter Storm

In 1993, Tennessee experienced a winter storm.

1994: Control of the majority flipped

In 1994, control of the majority in Tennessee's U.S. House of Representatives flipped.

1996: Tennessee Bicentennial

In 1996, Tennessee celebrated its bicentennial with a yearlong celebration called "Tennessee 200" and opened Bicentennial Mall in Nashville. The whitewater slalom events at the Atlanta Summer Olympic Games were held on the Ocoee River in Polk County.

1997: Tennessee Titans played in NFL

In 1997, the Tennessee Titans began playing in the National Football League (NFL).

1998: Memphis Redbirds began play

In 1998, the Memphis Redbirds began play.

1998: Nashville Predators played in NHL

In 1998, the Nashville Predators began playing in the National Hockey League (NHL).

2000: Hispanic population growth in Tennessee

Between 2000 and 2010, Tennessee's Hispanic population grew by 134.2%, the third-highest rate of any state.

2000: George W. Bush Victory

In 2000, Republican President George W. Bush won Tennessee by a 4% margin.

2000: Al Gore failed to carry Tennessee

In the 2000 presidential election, Vice President Al Gore, previously a Democratic U.S. Senator from Tennessee, failed to carry his home state.

2000: Reliably Republican in presidential elections

Since 2000, Tennessee has voted reliably Republican in presidential elections.

2001: Memphis Grizzlies played in NBA

In 2001, the Memphis Grizzlies began playing in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

2002: Tennessee Lottery Established

In 2002, Tennessee amended its constitution to establish a lottery.

2002: Control of the majority flipped

In 2002, control of the majority in Tennessee's U.S. House of Representatives flipped.

2002: Knoxville Ice Bears began play

The Knoxville Ice Bears began play in 2002 and are members of the Southern Professional Hockey League.

2004: George W. Bush increased his margin of victory

In 2004, Republican President George W. Bush increased his margin of victory in Tennessee to 14%.

2006: Tennessee outlaws same-sex marriage

In 2006, the state constitution was amended to outlaw same-sex marriage, which was later invalidated by the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges.

2007: Ron Ramsey became Speaker of the State Senate

In 2007, Ron Ramsey became the first Republican Speaker of the State Senate since Reconstruction.

December 23, 2008: Industrial waste spill at TVA's Kingston Fossil Plant

On December 23, 2008, more than 1.1 billion gallons of coal ash slurry was accidentally released into the Emory and Clinch Rivers in the largest industrial waste spill in United States history at TVA's Kingston Fossil Plant.

2008: Republicans gained full control of the Tennessee General Assembly

In 2008, Republicans gained full control of the Tennessee General Assembly for the first time since Reconstruction.

2009: Chattanooga FC founded

Chattanooga FC was founded in 2009.

2010: Hispanic population growth in Tennessee

Between 2000 and 2010, Tennessee's Hispanic population grew by 134.2%, the third-highest rate of any state.

2010: Control of the majority flipped

In 2010, control of the majority in Tennessee's U.S. House of Representatives flipped.

2010: United States census in Tennessee

The 2010 United States census was used as a baseline for calculating population changes in Tennessee by the 2020 census.

2011: Nashville Superspeedway shut down

The Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, which previously held Nationwide and IndyCar races, was shut down in 2011.

2012: Land placed into federal trust

In 2012, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians placed 79 acres in Henning into federal trust.

2014: Tennessee Promise created

In 2014, the Tennessee General Assembly created the Tennessee Promise, allowing in-state high school graduates to enroll in two-year post-secondary education programs tuition-free.

2015: Cleanup of TVA's Kingston Fossil Plant waste spill completed

In 2015, the cleanup of the industrial waste spill on December 23, 2008 at TVA's Kingston Fossil Plant was completed, costing more than $1 billion.

2016: Nashville surpasses Memphis in population

In 2016, Nashville surpassed Memphis to become Tennessee's largest city.

2016: Tennessee voted Republican

Since 2016, Tennessee has been the most populous state to vote Republican by more than 60% in presidential elections.

2016: No inheritance tax

Since 2016, Tennessee has had no inheritance tax.

2017: TBR administrative support

Until 2017, the TBR also operated six public universities in the state; it now only gives them administrative support.

2018: Top countries of origin for Tennessee immigrants

In 2018, the top countries of origin for Tennessee's immigrants were Mexico, India, Honduras, China and Egypt.

2019: Natural increase of population in Tennessee

Between 2010 and 2019, the state received a natural increase of 143,253 (744,274 births minus 601,021 deaths).

2019: Record number of tourists

In 2019, Tennessee received a record of 126 million tourists, making it the 11th-most visited state in the nation.

2019: Foreign-born population in Tennessee

In 2019, about 5.5% of Tennessee's population was foreign-born, with approximately 42.7% being naturalized citizens and 57.3% non-citizens.

2019: Total employment in Tennessee

In 2019, the state reported a total employment of 2,724,545 and a total number of 139,760 employer establishments.

2019: Chattanooga Red Wolves SC joined USL League One

Since 2019, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC has been a member of the third-tier USL League One.

2020: Tennessee population age demographics

According to the 2020 census, 5.7% of Tennessee's population was under age 5, 22.1% were under 18, and 17.1% were 65 or older.

2020: Hispanic or Latino population in Tennessee

In 2020, 6.9% of the total population of Tennessee was of Hispanic or Latino origin, up from 4.6% in 2010.

2020: Nashville SC played in MLS

In 2020, Nashville SC began playing in Major League Soccer (MLS).

2020: Tennessee voted Republican by the largest margin

In 2020, Tennessee voted Republican by the largest margin of any state in terms of the number of votes.

2020: United States census in Tennessee

In 2020, the United States census reported Tennessee's population at 6,910,840, an increase of 564,735 since the 2010 census.

2020: Per capita personal income in Tennessee

In 2020, the state's per capita personal income was $30,869, and the median household income was $54,833.

2021: Hall income tax phased out

By 2021, the Hall income tax, which was imposed on most dividends and interest, was completely phased out.

2021: Winter Storm

In 2021, Tennessee experienced a winter storm.

2021: Gross state product in Tennessee

In 2021, Tennessee had a gross state product of $418.3 billion.

2021: Nuclear power largest electricity source

In 2021, nuclear power was Tennessee's largest source of electricity generation, producing about 43.4% of its power.

2021: High school graduation rate

In 2021, the four-year high school graduation rate in Tennessee was 88.7%, a decrease of 1.2% from the previous year.

2021: NCAA Division I programs

In 2021-22 school year, the OVC also includes the Austin Peay Governors from Clarksville, the UT Martin Skyhawks from Martin, and the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles from Cookeville.

2021: One Knoxville SC founded

One Knoxville SC was founded in 2021.

2021: Nashville Superspeedway reopened

The Nashville Superspeedway reopened in 2021 to host the NASCAR Cup Series.

July 2022: Belmont Bruins moving to Missouri Valley Conference

In July 2022, the Belmont Bruins are moving to the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC).

2022: Homeless population in Tennessee

According to HUD's 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, there were an estimated 10,567 homeless people in Tennessee.

2022: Challenge to congressional and state maps

In 2022, Tennessee's congressional and state maps were challenged for splitting Davidson County and other areas, allegedly reducing the influence of urban and minority voters.

2023: One Knoxville SC joined USL League One

Since 2023, One Knoxville SC are also members of USL League One.

2024: Chattanooga FC began playing in MLS Next Pro

Founded in 2009, Chattanooga FC began playing in the third-tier MLS Next Pro in 2024.

2024: Tennessee population estimate

In 2024, the United States Census Bureau estimated Tennessee's population to be 7.22 million.

January 2025: 114th Tennessee General Assembly convened

In January 2025, the 114th Tennessee General Assembly convened with Republicans holding 27 of 33 seats in the Senate and 75 of 99 in the House.

May 2025: Tennessee unemployment rate

As of May 2025, the unemployment rate in Tennessee was 3.5 percent.

2025: Ford assembly plant expected to be operational

In 2025, Ford is constructing an assembly plant in Stanton that is expected to be operational.

2025: Small businesses in Tennessee

In 2025, it was reported that 99.5% of businesses in Tennessee were small businesses, employing 41.5% of the state's workforce.

2026: Photo identification required

As of 2026, Tennessee is one of ten states that require voters to present a photo identification.

2026: Execution of Christa Gail Pike

In 2026, Tennessee is set to execute Christa Gail Pike, the first female to be executed in over 200 years.

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