Tennessee History

One of the most important battleground states during the Civil War, Tennessee was secondly only to Virginia in the number of battles fought on its soil. Even 150 years after the fact, this military history lives on in its numerous monuments and historical parks. Numerous places across the state recreate the conflicts of this decisive war and provide visitors with a look into one of the most profound events that shaped the nation.

Nearly a century after the events of the Civil War, Tennessee again took the spotlight in the civil rights movement of the 1960s, and many non-violent sit-ins engaged the state throughout the period. The after-shocks of the movement spurred greater equality for African-Americans not only in Tennessee itself, but also across the country.

Opposite its history as a state of controversy, Tennessee is also famous for its place in music history, often referred to as the birthplace of country music, rock and blues. Memphis itself was home to B.B. King and the place where W.C. Handy recorded the world’s first commercially popular blues song. Two of music’s most famous sites, the Grand Old Opry and Graceland are of course huge historical sites that are a must-see when visiting Tennessee’s music history.