1. On April 26, 1865, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston surrendered his army to Union General William T. Sherman at the Bennett Place in Durham, North Carolina. This marked the effective end of the American Civil War and led to the formal restoration of the United States.

2. On April 26, 1944, the Tennessee Aquarium opened in Chattanooga as part of the larger revitalization of the city's riverfront. The aquarium houses a wide variety of freshwater and saltwater species in multiple themed exhibits.

3. On April 26, 1977, the first Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) hearing regarding the safety of the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) nuclear plants at Browns Ferry took place. This was in response to a fire that had occurred at the plants the previous year, prompting concerns over the safety of nuclear power.

4. On April 26, 1986, the Chernobyl disaster occurred in Ukraine, which had significant effects on Tennessee and its residents. The radioactive cloud from the explosion eventually reached the state, leading to increased awareness of the dangers of nuclear power and heightened precautions in the industry.

5. On April 26, 1996, the Nashville Predators played their first game as an NHL team, becoming the first professional sports team in the city. The Predators have since become a beloved part of Nashville culture, with their home games at Bridgestone Arena drawing fans from across the region.