1. In 1846, a major earthquake struck Memphis, Tennessee, causing significant damage to buildings and infrastructure. The earthquake registered at a magnitude of 5.1.

2. On May 11, 1929, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) was created as a federal agency to oversee the development of the Tennessee River Valley region. The TVA was responsible for a number of infrastructure projects, including the construction of dams and power plants.

3. In 1963, the famous civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr., was arrested in Birmingham, Alabama and brought to Birmingham City Jail. On May 11, King was released on bail and immediately returned to Birmingham to continue his activism.

4. May 11, 1979, marked the opening of the World's Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee. The fair received over 11 million visitors during its six-month run and was a major catalyst for economic development in the region.

5. On May 11, 2011, widespread flooding occurred in Tennessee, causing significant damage to homes and businesses across the state. The floodwaters were caused by heavy rainfall and led to the evacuation of thousands of people in the affected areas.