1. Tennessee Lawmakers Voted to Secede from the Union in 1861

On April 24, 1861, Tennessee lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to secede from the Union and join the Confederacy during the American Civil War. This decision set the stage for a bloody conflict that would last for several years.

2. Tennessee Valley Authority Was Established in 1933

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) was established on April 24, 1933, as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal program. The TVA was created to provide jobs, stimulate economic growth, and improve living conditions in the Tennessee Valley.

3. Tennessee Celebrated Its Bicentennial in 1996

On April 24, 1996, Tennessee celebrated its bicentennial, marking 200 years since the state was admitted to the Union on June 1, 1796. A variety of events were held throughout the state to commemorate the occasion.

4. Federal Assault on Lookout Mountain Occurred in 1863

The Battle of Lookout Mountain, also known as the Battle Above the Clouds, occurred on November 24, 1863, during the Civil War. However, the Union army began its assault on the mountain on April 24, 1863, in an attempt to control Chattanooga.

5. The First American Train Robbery Occurred in Tennessee in 1865

On April 24, 1865, the first train robbery in American history occurred in Tennessee. A group of Confederate soldiers, led by James R. Andrews, stole a train and attempted to destroy rail lines in Georgia to disrupt Union troop movements. However, they were caught and executed.