1. In 1792, the city of Knoxville was founded. Named after Revolutionary War hero Henry Knox, the city would go on to play an important role in both the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement.

2. On October 28, 1864, the Battle of Johnsonville took place in Humphreys County during the Civil War. Confederate forces attacked the Union supply depot but were ultimately unsuccessful in their mission.

3. On October 28, 1919, the Tennessee Supreme Court upheld a law banning the teaching of evolution in public schools. This decision would later be overturned in the famous Scopes Trial in 1925.

4. In 1931, Memphis radio station WMCT made its debut on October 28. The station went on to play an important role in the development of country music and was one of the first stations in the region to feature black musicians.

5. On October 28, 1936, Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains National Park was officially dedicated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Covering over half a million acres, the park is known for its stunning natural beauty and diverse wildlife.