Statehood Day of Tennessee is an annual holiday celebrated on June 1. People from all over the state gather on this day to commemorate and observe the state’s admission to the Union of the States, which occurred on the same day in 1796 when it became the 16th state to be admitted. It took several months after the admission for a state constitution to be completed.
History of Statehood Day in Tennessee
Governor Blount called for elections in December 1793 as colonists demanded statehood. The 13-member territorial Chamber of Representatives met for the first time in Knoxville in February 1794 to elect 10 members to the legislature’s upper house, the Council. In August 1794, the legislature met in full and convened in its entirety in August 1794. The legislature conducted a census of the area, which revealed a population of over 70,000 people, 10,000 of whom were slaves, as well as a poll that revealed a majority of people in favor of statehood in June 1795.Delegates were elected to a constitutional convention in December 1795, and they met in Knoxville to draft a state constitution in January 1796. During this convention, Tennessee was chosen as the new state’s name. After the constitution was completed, the state’s new legislature, the Tennessee General Assembly, was elected in February. The assembly gathered in March 1796, and the next day, John Sevier was named the state’s first governor. On June 1, 1796, Tennessee was admitted to the Union as the 16th state and the first to be formed from federal land.Since then, the state has seen several developments. Tennessee’s constitution was amended in 2002 to include a lottery. In 2006, the state constitution was revised to make same-sex marriage illegal. The United States Supreme Court overturned this amendment in 2015. In December 2008, over 1.1 billion gallons of coal ash slurry were accidentally spilled into the Emory and Clinch Rivers at T.V.A’s Kingston Fossil Plant, resulting in the worst industrial waste disaster in U.S. history. The cleanup cost more than a billion dollars and lasted until 2015.
Statehood Day in Tennessee timeline
Colonists demand the inclusion of the region in the Union.
Delegates draft a state constitution.
Tennessee finally joins the Union and becomes the 16th state.
Several changes to the state’s constitution are made.
Statehood Day in Tennessee FAQs
What was Tennessee called before 1796?
Before statehood, the region of Tennessee was called the Territory South of the River Ohio.
Is Tennessee a good state to live in?
Tennessee is a great state! It is the second cheapest state to live in and the best place to retire in the United States.
Does it snow in Tennessee?
It’s difficult to predict which month will see the most snow. Snow has been recorded to fall as early as October and as late as March and April.
How to Observe Statehood Day in Tennessee
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Set up a flag
Get out your Tennessee flag and hang it on your porch. Your neighbors will undoubtedly notice that you are supporting this wonderful holiday!
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Travel to Tennessee
This is the perfect opportunity to visit Tennessee! You'll learn a lot more about the state's history and get to see some of America's coolest landmarks!
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Visit the State Museum
The State Museum offers a wide range of activities during celebrations of Statehood Day of Tennessee. It’s also the perfect place to learn all about the history of the region. Don’t forget to take your family and friends with you on your trip!
5 Awesome Facts About Tennessee You’ll Love
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Tennessee is home to Smoky
The most well-known national park in the United States is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee, which is also the most visited park in the country.
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Elvis lived in Tennessee
Did you know you can visit Elvis Presley's old home in Tennessee, which is actually more popular than the White House itself?
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The Lost Sea
At Sweetwater, Tennessee, you can find the biggest underground lake ever!
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Tennessee is a Volunteer State
Tennessee is known as the Volunteer State because many people volunteered in the state during the War of 1812, particularly in New Orleans.
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Tennessee is the home of many industries
Tennessee is well-known for its music industry, as it is home to artists such as Justin Timberlake, Dolly Parton, and Aretha Franklin, but it also has a significant presence in the mining and farming industries!
Why Statehood Day in Tennessee is Important
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It celebrates independence
Holidays that celebrate independence are always great because they remind us of our freedom! Statehood Day of Tennessee does just that and allows us to celebrate our independence.
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It unites people
Federal holidays are always bringing everyone around the country together to celebrate and we love being able to get together with as many people as we can! During this holiday, we can visit family and friends, or invite them over to your home!
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It’s all about bravery
This holiday celebrates the bravery of the men who went after what they wanted and it serves as an example for all of us! We can learn a valuable lesson from these men and live our lives accordingly.
Statehood Day in Tennessee dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | June 1 | Thursday |
| 2024 | June 1 | Saturday |
| 2025 | June 1 | Sunday |
| 2026 | June 1 | Monday |
| 2027 | June 1 | Tuesday |
