1. In 1861, Tennessee became the last state to secede from the Union prior to the American Civil War. The state's decision to secede was controversial, as many residents were divided about whether to remain part of the United States or join the newly formed Confederacy.

2. In 1951, the Tennessee Valley Authority completed construction of the Norris Dam near Knoxville. The dam, which was built to control flooding and generate hydroelectric power, created Norris Lake, a popular destination for boating, fishing, and other recreational activities.

3. On January 10, 1894, the Tennessee General Assembly approved a bill to establish the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. The school, which was originally called East Tennessee University, admitted its first students in 1794 and has since grown to become the flagship institution in the state's public higher education system.

4. In 1963, a small plane carrying country music stars Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas, and Hawkshaw Hawkins crashed near Camden, Tennessee, killing all three musicians and the pilot. The tragedy shocked the country music industry and led to increased safety regulations for performers who traveled by air.

5. On January 10, 1927, the state of Tennessee held the first of its famous "hog-calling" contests. The events, which were held at county fairs and other agricultural gatherings, involved contestants using various vocal techniques to coax pigs into a pen. While the contests have largely faded from public popularity, they remain a beloved tradition among some rural communities in the state.