1. Tennessee becomes the 16th state in the Union - July 2, 1796, is a historic day in Tennessee history as it marks the day when Tennessee officially became the 16th state to join the United States of America. The state was created from the Southwest Territory and became a state after its own constitution was ratified.

2. Battle of Parker's Crossroads - On July 2, 1862, the Battle of Parker's Crossroads took place during the American Civil War in West Tennessee. Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest's troops engaged in a surprise attack on Union Colonel Cyrus L. Dunham's troops but were eventually forced to retreat.

3. Tennessee's first public radio station begins broadcasting - On July 2, 1922, WSM-FM began broadcasting, making it Tennessee's first public radio station. It was originally owned by the National Life and Accident Insurance Company, and it remains on the air today as Nashville's "The Legend" WSM 650 AM.

4. Al Gore announces he will run for President - On July 2, 2002, former Vice President Al Gore announced that he would run for President of the United States in the 2004 elections. Gore, who had served as Vice President under Bill Clinton from 1993 to 2001, eventually withdrew from the race in late 2003.

5. Nashville experiences a record-breaking heatwave - In July 2012, Nashville and much of Tennessee experienced an intense heatwave, with temperatures reaching record highs for several days in a row. On July 2, the temperature in Nashville hit 109 degrees Fahrenheit, making it the hottest day in Nashville's history.