1. On October 21, 1790, Tennessee became the 16th state to join the Union. Previously, it had been part of North Carolina, but became its own state as part of the newly-formed United States.
2. On October 21, 1861, the Battle of Ball's Bluff took place in Virginia. Despite being fought outside of Tennessee, the battle is significant in its impact on the state. It was one of the earliest significant battles of the Civil War, and spurred many Tennesseans to join the fight on one side or the other.
3. On October 21, 1911, Tennessee's first automobile race was held in Nashville. The event featured cars from all over the country, and was the first major step towards the state becoming a hub of automotive innovation and production.
4. On October 21, 1960, the Grand Ole Opry moved to a new venue in Nashville. The iconic country music radio show had been housed in various buildings throughout the city over the years, but the move to the larger and more modern Ryman Auditorium solidified its reputation as a cultural touchstone of the South.
5. On October 21, 2000, the Tennessee Titans defeated the Washington Redskins in a thrilling 27-21 overtime victory. The game was significant for several reasons, including the fact that it was the first ever NFL game played in Memphis, as well as the high stakes of the two teams contending for playoff spots.