1. On November 23, 1863, Confederate General James Longstreet attempted to capture the Union-held city of Knoxville by attacking Fort Sanders. However, the attack failed due to the fort's strong defensive position and the Union soldiers' skillful use of their artillery. This battle was a pivotal moment in the Knoxville Campaign of the American Civil War.

2. Tennessee native Wilma Rudolph was born on November 23, 1940, in Saint Bethlehem. Rudolph overcame various medical challenges as a child, including polio, to become a world-class athlete. She won three gold medals in track and field at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, becoming the first American woman to accomplish this feat.

3. The Tennessee Williams play "A Streetcar Named Desire" premiered on Broadway on November 23, 1947. The play, which explores themes of desire, violence, and mental illness, won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1948 and has been adapted into multiple films and stage productions.

4. Nashville's Ryman Auditorium, also known as the "Mother Church of Country Music," opened its doors on November 23, 1892. Originally built as a tabernacle for revival meetings, the venue soon began hosting concerts and became a central location for the Grand Ole Opry radio show. Today, the Ryman hosts a variety of musical performances and events.

5. On November 23, 1915, Knoxville-born author James Agee was born. Agee is best known for his autobiographical novel "A Death in the Family," which was published posthumously and won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1958. He also worked as a journalist and screenwriter, contributing to projects such as "Let Us Now Praise Famous Men" and "The African Queen."