1. The Total Solar Eclipse of 2017 - On August 21, 2017, Tennessee was one of the states where the path of the total solar eclipse passed over. This rare celestial event attracted tourists from all around the world to witness the moment when the sun, moon, and earth aligned perfectly in a way that created a striking visual display.

2. The establishment of Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway - On August 21, 1972, the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway was officially opened to the public. This waterway is a 234-mile shipping route that connects the Tennessee River at Pickwick Lake in Tennessee to the Tombigbee River near Demopolis, Alabama. The waterway has helped to stimulate economic development and tourism in the region.

3. The Death of Football Legend Reggie White - On August 21, 2004, Reggie White, one of the most dominant defensive linemen in the history of the NFL, passed away at the age of 43. White was a 13-time Pro Bowler and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

4. The Birth of Musician Aubrey Holt - On August 21, 1936, Aubrey Holt, a founding member of the bluegrass band The Boys From Indiana, was born in Knoxville, Tennessee. Holt was known for his powerful vocals and skilled mandolin playing, and helped to shape the sound of modern bluegrass music.

5. The Knoxville Race Riot of 1919 - On August 21, 1919, a race riot broke out in Knoxville, Tennessee, after a white mob attacked African American residents and burned down homes and businesses. The riot lasted for two days and resulted in the deaths of several African Americans and two white police officers. The incident highlighted the racial tensions that existed in the city and the country at the time, and is a significant event in Tennessee's history.