1. In 1861, the Tennessee State legislature voted to secede from the United States and join the Confederate States of America. This decision would eventually lead to the Battle of Nashville in 1864, which was a turning point in the Civil War.

2. On June 9, 1911, the deadliest train wreck in Tennessee history occurred when two passenger trains collided head-on near the town of Newcastle. The crash killed 71 people and injured more than 100 others.

3. In 1953, Elvis Presley made his first professional recording at Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. He recorded two songs, "That's All Right" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky," which helped launch his career as a music icon.

4. On June 9, 1962, the legendary musician Johnny Cash performed at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville for the first time. This performance marked the beginning of his long and illustrious career in country music.

5. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park was officially established on June 9, 1934, becoming the first national park created east of the Mississippi River. The park spans more than 800 square miles and is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including black bears, elk, and coyotes.