1. In 1964, Tennessee-born FBI agent Jack Ryan was shot and killed by bank robbers in San Francisco. Ryan had previously worked on high-profile cases such as the capture of notorious bank robber Willie Sutton.

2. On August 4, 1866, the first meeting of the Tennessee General Assembly after the Civil War took place. This session saw the passage of important laws regarding the rights of African Americans and the creation of the Tennessee State Normal School (now known as Tennessee State University).

3. The Tennessee Centennial Exposition officially opened in Nashville on August 4, 1897. The exposition was held to celebrate Tennessee's 100th anniversary of statehood and featured exhibits showcasing the state's history, arts, and industry.

4. Tennessee astronaut John Blaha became the first person to fly a commercial airline flight while in space on August 4, 1996. Blaha was on board the Russian Mir space station at the time and flew as a paying passenger on a Russian commercial airliner.

5. August 4, 1926, saw the first broadcast of a Grand Ole Opry radio show from Nashville. Originally called the "WSM Barn Dance," the Opry has become an iconic institution in American music history and has launched the careers of many famous country music stars.