1. The Battle of Stone's River began on January 3, 1863. This battle, also known as the Battle of Murfreesboro, was a significant Civil War battle and resulted in a Union victory.

2. On January 3, 1922, the Tennessee Supreme Court upheld the state's compulsory sterilization law. This controversial law allowed for the forced sterilization of people deemed "feeble-minded" or "unfit" to reproduce.

3. Tennessee native Bill Haslam was inaugurated as the state's 49th governor on January 3, 2011. Haslam served as governor for two terms, until 2019.

4. On January 3, 1946, the first meeting of the Tennessee General Assembly after World War II was held. This session was notable for the number of returning veterans who were elected to office.

5. The Tennessee Titans played their first playoff game in Nashville on January 3, 1999. The team, then known as the Tennessee Oilers, defeated the Buffalo Bills in a Wild Card game.