1. On October 4, 1864, the Battle of Saltville took place in Virginia, but had significant implications for Tennessee. Confederate forces, including troops from Tennessee, were defeated, effectively ending the Confederacy's ability to produce salt for military use.

2. In 1905, the Tennessee Supreme Court handed down a decision in the case of L. & N. R.R. v. Foster. The ruling clarified the rules pertaining to the liability of railroad companies in cases of injuries to employees.

3. October 4, 1957 saw the Soviet Union launch Sputnik, the first artificial satellite in orbit around the Earth. The event spurred the United States to devote greater resources to developing their own space program, leading to innovations like the Saturn V rocket which helped propel astronauts to the Moon.

4. In 1983, the Cumberland River crested at a record-breaking 74.75 feet in Nashville, causing widespread flooding throughout the city. The disaster led to the creation of the Nashville Metropolitan Government's Office of Emergency Management, which has since played an important role in preparing for and responding to natural disasters.

5. On October 4, 2007, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced that it had completed an investigation into the shooting death of former NBA player Lorenzen Wright. The investigation ultimately resulted in the arrest and conviction of Wright's ex-wife, Sherra Wright, for her role in the murder.