History of the American Tennessee River Valley

Hernando de Soto was a Spanish explorer who led an expedition through the southeastern United States in 1540-1542. He was the first European to reach the Tennessee River Valley.

The Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Creek were the four major Native American tribes living in the Tennessee River Valley when European settlers arrived.

Nashville was founded in 1779 by James Robertson and John Donelson. It was the first permanent European settlement in the Tennessee River Valley.

Tennessee was the first state to be formed out of the Tennessee River Valley. It was admitted to the Union in 1796.

The Battle of Chattanooga was a major battle that took place in the Tennessee River Valley during the Civil War. It was fought from November 23 to 25, 1863, and resulted in a Union victory.

Chattanooga is known as the "Dynamo of the South" because of its role as a major manufacturing and transportation center.

The Tennessee River is the major river that flows through the Tennessee River Valley.

The Ohio River is not a major tributary of the Tennessee River.

The TVA Dam is the major dam that was built on the Tennessee River in the 1930s. It was built by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) as part of a flood control and hydroelectric power project.

Nashville is known as the "Music City" because of its role as a major center for country music.

The University of Tennessee is the major university located in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Memphis is known as the "Bluff City" because it is located on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River.

Memphis International Airport is the major airport located in Memphis, Tennessee.

Bristol, Tennessee is known as the "Birthplace of Country Music" because it was the site of the first commercial recording of country music in 1927.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the major national park located in the Tennessee River Valley.