1. In 1779, the first British fort west of the Appalachians, Fort Loudoun, was surrendered to the Cherokee during the American Revolutionary War on June 16th. The fort had been established by the British to secure their western borders and support their alliances with the Cherokee and other Native American tribes.

2. On June 16, 1890, Tennessee's first public library opened in Knoxville. The Lawson McGhee Library was a gift from business magnate Lawson McGhee to the city and was initially located in the second floor of the city hall.

3. In 1958, a tornado outbreak struck Nashville and Middle Tennessee on June 16, causing severe damage and leaving 12 dead and over 200 injured. The tornadoes were part of a larger outbreak that also affected other parts of the southern United States.

4. On June 16, 1970, Tennessee's largest employer at the time, the DuPont Chattanooga Plant, was hit by a massive explosion that destroyed a 150-foot tower and left four workers dead. The explosion was caused by a leak of phosgene gas, which was used in the production of insecticides.

5. In 1999, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park celebrated its 65th anniversary on June 16th. The park, which spans over 800 square miles in Tennessee and North Carolina, is the most visited national park in the United States and is known for its diverse wildlife, scenic beauty, and cultural heritage.