The area of Tennessee was first visited in around 1540 but Great Britain did not obtain the area until around 1763. From 1784 - 1787 a "state" of Franklin was formed by the settlers but this was later disbanded. Congress later organised the area that is now Tennessee in 1790 and it first joined the Union in 1796.
Although Tennessee joined the Confederacy (south) during the Civil War, there was significant support for the Union in the state. Extensive battles were fought throughout the state.
Major points of interest include: Nashville - the home of country music, Memphis and Graceland - Elvis' home, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the American Museum of Atomic Energy at Oak Ridge, Jack Daniels Whiskey and Dollyworld.
Tennessee is about 5 hours drive from home and another very beautiful state. We went to a log cabin just outside of Gatlinburg for our first wedding anniversary in March of 2007. Gatlinburg is at the entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is on the border with North Carolina. If you like outdoors this is a great place to stop and visit.