Tennessee's birthday is the day it joined the Union, officially making it a state. That day was June 1st, 1796. The volunteer state was the 16th state admitted to the Union. In case you haven't noticed, the year is on the Tennessee commemorative quarter minted in 2002.
Good deeds
Governor Bill Lee and Secretary of State Tre Hargett will deliver the original deed book back to Jonesborough for its archives. It has been in Nashville for the last 125 years against the wishes of local officials. Recently, legislators were able to convince state officials to return the original deed book to Jonesborough. Its contents contain the very firstland ownership records in Tennessee, and the Territory South of the River Ohio.
the transfer of the deed book will be combined with a local celebration of the stat's birthday. The celebration will have speeches from local and state officials, and a concert by the Oakridge Boys.
Rich history
Tennessee's journey to statehood was intense, and sometimes deadly. There were viscious politics and rivalries, and battles with Native Americans to claim land.
Tennessee was originally part of North Carolina, and then a territory. Its first consitution was written in 1796. The region grew after the United States declared independence from England in 1776. In fact, many counties were formed in North Carolina that is now part of Tennessee.
First state
Northeast Tennessee formed its first government under John Sevier (Sevier was named Governor). They petitioned the federal government for support, but it failed to gain traction. The State of Franklin was viewed as a rebellion against North Carolina, and it eventually fell apart in 1788 due to difficulty in communications across the mountains.
North Carolina ceded its lands west of the Appalachians to the federal government. This formed the Southwest Territory (or Territory South of the River Ohio") Fighting with natives continued into the late 1790s. Enough lands were gained to form eleven counties.
When the people felt they were close to being ready to form a state, they took a cencus. They found 70,000 people occupied the territory. Only 60,000 were required to petition the government for statehood. The measure finally came to a vote in 1795. The eight counties of East Tennessee voted for statehood. The three middle Tennessee counties voted against it, fearing the more populous eastern counties would drive the government.
Constitution
Five delegates were chosen from each county. They traveled to Knoxville in January of 1796 to hold Tennessee's first constitutional. The 55 delegates used parts of the North Carolina and Pennsylvania constitutions to write the Tennessee Constitution in only 27 days.
Tennessee (the Southwest Territory) was the first to apply for statehood. Sending the Tennessee Constitution to Congress, it was debated until June 1st, 1796. The vote held, George Washington signed the document making Tennessee the 16th state of the United States of America.
20 State symbols every Tennesseean should know
- The Tennessee State Seal
- The Tennessee State Flag
- State Tree (Tulip Poplar)
- Cultivated Flower (Iris)
- State Wildflowers (passion flower and cone flower)
- State Sportfish (Smallmouth Bass)
- State Bird (Mockingbird)
- Wild Animal (Racoon)
- Insects (Ladybug and Firefly)
- Amphibian (Tennessee Cave Salamander)
- Reptile (Eastern Box Turtle)
- State Beverage (milk)
- State Fruit (tomato)
- State gem (pearl)
- State rock (limestone)
- State artifact (prehistoric native american statue "Sandy")
- State game bird (Bobwhite Quail)
- State dog (Bluetick Hound)
*notice there are two wildflowers and two insects.
Celebrations are taking place in Jonesborough, Tennessee's oldest town, and Nashville!