1. Memphis Riots of 1862:
On December 2, 1862, a small skirmish turned into a full-blown riot in Memphis, Tennessee. The riot was sparked by a group of Union soldiers who had come into a predominantly Irish neighborhood and began to provoke the residents. When the residents fought back, the soldiers began to fire on them and soon the whole city erupted in violence.

2. Tennessee Becomes Last State to Reject the 19th Amendment:
On December 2, 1920, Tennessee became the last state to ratify the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which granted women the right to vote. The vote was a close one, with Tennessee House Rep Harry Burn casting the deciding 'yes' vote after his mother wrote him a letter persuading him to do so.

3. Opryland USA Opens:
On December 2, 1972, Opryland USA, a theme park and entertainment complex, opened in Nashville, Tennessee. The park featured rides, attractions, and live shows, and was known for its country music focus and the presence of the Grand Ole Opry.

4. Great Smoky Mountains National Park Established:
On December 2, 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill that officially established the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina. The park covers over 500,000 acres and is one of the most visited national parks in the country.

5. First African American Mayor of a Major Southern City:
On December 2, 1991, Richard Arrington Jr. became the first African American mayor of a major southern city when he was elected mayor of Birmingham, Alabama. Arrington served as mayor from 1979 to 1999 and was instrumental in the revitalization of the city's downtown area.