1. In 1815, the first steamship arrived in Nashville, Tennessee, marking a new era in transportation for the growing city. The ship, named the General Jackson after Andrew Jackson, could carry up to 300 passengers and was used to transport goods up and down the Cumberland River.

2. On October 25, 1864, the Battle of Johnsonville took place on the banks of the Tennessee River. Confederate forces attempted to destroy Union supply boats and depots but were ultimately unsuccessful in their efforts. The battle was one of the last major engagements of the Civil War in Tennessee.

3. In 1926, American radio host and television personality Dick Cavett was born in Gibbon, Nebraska. Cavett is known for his talk shows, which have featured interviews with some of the biggest names in entertainment and politics. He currently resides in Montauk, New York.

4. On this day in 1931, the Tennessee Theatre opened its doors in Knoxville, Tennessee. The theatre was designed in the Spanish-Moorish style and boasted state-of-the-art acoustics and projection systems. Today, it is recognized as one of the finest examples of 1920s-era movie palaces in the United States.

5. In 1986, Tennessee State University held a special convocation to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the desegregation of the institution. In 1956, 10 African American students were admitted to the previously all-white university, paving the way for greater integration in higher education across the state.