1. The Battle of Nashville Monument was Dedicated: On April 16, 1927, the Battle of Nashville Monument was dedicated on the grounds of the state Capitol. The monument, which commemorates the Union Army's victory over the Confederate Army in the Battle of Nashville in 1864, features a bronze statue of Union General George H. Thomas on horseback.

2. Martin Luther King, Jr. Visits Vanderbilt University: On April 16, 1964, Martin Luther King, Jr. visited Vanderbilt University in Nashville to deliver a speech on civil rights. The speech, which was titled "The Future of Integration," was given to a packed audience at the university's Langford Auditorium.

3. Tennessee Becomes the First State to Ratify the 19th Amendment: On April 16, 1920, Tennessee became the first state to ratify the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which gave women the right to vote. The amendment was later ratified by 36 states, and went into effect on August 26, 1920.

4. Grand Ole Opry Hosts its First Show: On April 16, 1927, the Grand Ole Opry hosted its first show at the Hillsboro Theatre in Nashville. The show, which featured performances by country music legends such as Uncle Jimmy Thompson and Ernest V. Stoneman, helped to establish the Grand Ole Opry as a centerpiece of the Nashville music scene.

5. Memphis Protests the Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.: On April 16, 1968, the city of Memphis was rocked by protests in response to the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. The protests, which began peacefully, soon turned violent as buildings were burned and looted. The National Guard was called in to restore order, and the city was placed under curfew for several days.