1. The first celebration of Independence Day in Tennessee occurred in 1801 in Jonesborough. A group of citizens gathered to mark the occasion with a public reading of the Declaration of Independence.

2. In 1862, the city of Chattanooga fell to Union forces on July 4th after a short but intense battle. The victory was a crucial turning point in the Civil War and helped pave the way for the eventual defeat of the Confederacy.

3. Prohibition was officially repealed in Tennessee on July 4, 1933, by a statewide referendum. This paved the way for legal alcohol sales and helped boost the state's economy.

4. The iconic Nashville hot chicken dish is said to have originated on July 4th, 1945, when a woman named Thornton Prince made an extra-spicy fried chicken dish to get revenge on her cheating partner. It was so popular with her friends and family that she began selling it in her restaurant.

5. On July 4, 1984, the Gaylord Entertainment Company debuted the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. The iconic venue has hosted countless country music stars over the years and remains a beloved landmark of Tennessee history.