1. In 1796, Tennessee became the 16th state in the United States of America. One of its first acts was to adopt a state constitution, which forbade slavery north of the Tennessee River.
2. On November 3, 1839, the first state penitentiary opened in Nashville, Tennessee. It was the largest masonry structure in the state and housed 240 prisoners.
3. The famous Tennessee Walking Horse breed was developed in the late 19th century. On November 3, 1935, the breed was officially recognized and registered by the National Walking Horse Breeders' Association.
4. On November 3, 1956, the University of Tennessee's Neyland Stadium hosted its first football game. The Tennessee Volunteers defeated the University of Mississippi Rebels 14-7 in front of over 45,000 fans.
5. In 1992, Tennessee native Al Gore was elected Vice President of the United States. He served under President Bill Clinton from 1993 to 2001.