TENNESSEE ADMITTED TO THE UNION
Knoxville, Tennessee (JFK+50) On June 1, 1796, 230 years ago today, Tennessee was admitted to the Union as the 16th state. Knoxville was the capital & John Sevier (SA-VEER)was the first governor.
Once part of North Carolina and the Northwest Territory, Tennessee became known as "The Volunteer State" because of the many volunteers who served in the War of 1812 and the Mexican War. The state university, located in Knoxville, is nicknamed the "Volunteers" or "VOLS".
The state is divided into three geographic "Grand" divisions...East, Middle and West as represented by the stars on the state flag.
At the time of the Civil War, East Tennessee, a Republican stronghold, voted to remain in the Union while Middle and West Tennessee, a Democratic stronghold, voted to secede. Tennessee was the last southern state to secede from the Union and the first to be readmitted.
In 1784, there was an attempt by three counties in East Tennessee to break away from North Carolina and form the State of Franklin. That effort did not work out and they rejoined the Tarheel State in 1788.
JFK+50 NOTE
There are many Tennesseans who do not know what the stars on our state flag represent. As a retired history teacher, I always ask anyone wearing the 3 star circle symbol if they know. Very few, young or old, do.
