1. In 1807, Tennessee Governor Willie Blount signed a law to abolish the slave trade in the state. While slavery would not officially be abolished until after the Civil War, this was an early step towards recognizing the inhumanity of the practice.

2. On June 18, 1896, Tennessee resident and well-known suffragist Abby Crawford Milton became one of the first women in the country to register to vote. This was nearly 24 years before the 19th Amendment granted women nationwide voting rights.

3. The iconic Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which spans across Tennessee and North Carolina, was officially dedicated on June 18, 1940. Today, it remains one of the most visited national parks in the country.

4. In 1973, Memphis-based company Holiday Inn opened the doors to its new headquarters building, known as the "Pink Palace." The distinctive pink-hued building became a notable landmark in the city for decades.

5. Tennessee Governor Ned McWherter signed a law on June 18, 1985, establishing the state's first income tax. The decision was controversial, with some arguing that it was necessary to support public services, while others believed it was an unnecessary burden on taxpayers.