1. On May 9, 1862, the Battle of Farmington took place in Tennessee during the Civil War. Union troops under General William T. Sherman defeated Confederate troops led by General P.G.T. Beauregard in a one-day battle.

2. On May 9, 1950, the city of Nashville was hit by a tornado that caused significant damage and resulted in 10 deaths. The tornado was part of a larger outbreak that affected several southern states.

3. May 9, 1987, marked the grand opening of the Opryland USA theme park in Nashville. The park, which featured musical performances and rides, operated for 25 years before closing in 2012.

4. On May 9, 1916, the Tennessee General Assembly approved the state's first workers' compensation law. The law established a system for compensating workers who were injured on the job.

5. The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum was founded on May 9, 1961, in Chattanooga. The museum operates historic trains and offers scenic train rides, train robberies, and other events throughout the year.