Tennessee - The Volunteer State

Capital City:

Nashville

Nickname:

Volunteer State

Motto:

Agriculture and Commerce

Statehood:

June 1, 1796 (16th)

Origin of State's Name:

Named after Cherokee Indian villages called "Tanasi"

Largest Cities:

Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville,Chattanooga, Clarksville

Border States:

Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Virginia

Land Area:

41,220 sq. mi., 34th largest

State Bird:

Mockingbird

State Flower:

Iris (iridaceae)

State Tree:

Tulip poplar (liriodendron tulipifera)

State Songs:

The Tennessee Waltz Tennessee, My Home and Tennessee When It's Iris Time in Tennessee My Tennessee Rocky Top

Called the "Volunteer State," Tennessee became the 16th state of the Union in 1796. It was the first territory admitted as a state under the federal Constitution. Before statehood, it was known as the Territory South of the River Ohio. The name Tennessee is derived from the name of a Cherokee village, Tanasi. Today, the capital, Nashville, is known as a center for country music. Memphis, the largest city in the state, is the place where Elvis Presley first began his legendary musical career. The state flower is the iris.