1. In 1864, the Battle of Fort Pillow occurred in Henning, Tennessee during the American Civil War. Confederate troops under the command of General Nathan Bedford Forrest attacked the Union-held fort and ultimately killed over 200 black soldiers and some white officers in what is now considered a massacre.

2. On April 9, 1912, the Titanic departed from Southampton, England on its maiden voyage. Interestingly, one of the wealthiest passengers on board was John Jacob Astor IV, who had built the luxurious Astor Villa in Newport, Tennessee.

3. In 1939, musician and songwriter Merle Kilgore was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma. Kilgore moved to Nashville, Tennessee in the 1960s and played with many country music stars, including Hank Williams Jr. and Johnny Cash. He is perhaps best known for co-writing the hit song "Ring of Fire" with June Carter Cash and Merle Haggard.

4. On April 9, 1951, the Tennessee State Capitol building was declared a National Historic Landmark. Completed in 1859, the Capitol is one of the oldest working statehouses in the U.S. and boasts an impressive collection of artwork, including portraits of all 44 U.S. presidents.

5. Finally, April 9 is celebrated as National Be Kind to Lawyers Day in the U.S. This humorous holiday was established in 2008 by attorney and author Nader Anise to counteract negative stereotypes about lawyers and promote civility in the legal profession. So, if you have a lawyer in your life, give them a little extra love and appreciation today!