West Knoxville: 865-357-2288 | North Knoxville: 865-339-4422
Maryville: 865-980-8810 | Tullahoma: 931-222-4800

West Knoxville: 865-357-2288
North Knoxville: 865-339-4422
Maryville: 865-980-8810
Tullahoma: 931-222-4800

October 26th is National Tennessee Day, commemorating this day in 1796 when Tennessee became the 16th state admitted to the Union after Independence Day. Let’s roll through some notables of history, people, places, and things that make the Volunteer State great and worth celebrating!

State Symbol History

One of the most recognizable symbols of Tennessee is the Tri-Star, which is the centerpiece of the state flag. The Tri-Star represents and connects the west, middle and east parts of the state figuratively by positioning the points on each of the three stars meeting perfectly together in the middle. Tennessee’s three grand divisions were first mentioned in the 1835-1836 Acts of Tennessee. The three stars are set in a blue circle symbolic of the eternal unity of the state’s three regions.

Two Beloved Beverages

While invented in either Ireland or Scotland centuries ago (they’re still fighting about it), the Volunteer State is famous for being home for two major Whiskey producers: Jack Daniels and George Dickel. As famous country singer Chris Stapleton referenced in one of his biggest hits, “You’re as smooth, as Tennessee Whiskey…”.

The other notable beverage of Tennessee was invented in the state…Knoxville specifically. Mountain Dew was invented in the 1930s as a new drink to mix with whiskey. Luckily, it also tastes rather good as a stand-alone mixer and represents around 7% of all soft drink sales in the US.


Great Smoky Mountains

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Did you know that Great Smoky Mountains National Park is America’s most visited National Park? It’s true! Over 13 million people visited last year. Located in Knoxville’s backyard on the Tennessee/North Carolina border, the park is world renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, beautiful ancient mountain landscapes, and quality Southern Appalachian Mountain culture. Hiking trails, waterfalls and wildlife viewing are all spectacular, and the fall colors are a major attraction for leaf peepers of all ages. Revenue from park visitors for the local economy amounted to $3.4 billion in 2023.

Musical History and Royalty

Nashville is known around the world as the Country Music Capital of the World and is known as “Music City” thanks to the Ryman Auditorium, Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Native Minnie Pearl was Opry royalty. The legendary Man in Black Johnny Cash made his home here. And who can forget Tennessee’s own homegrown Dolly Parton and her Dollywood theme park? Of course, we can’t overlook the King and Queen: Elvis Presley, the KING of Rock n’ Roll, and Aretha Franklin, the QUEEN of Soul, both called the Volunteer State their home. Elvis’ Graceland is a major tourist draw in Memphis as well as many renowned blues clubs, thanks to Memphis blues guitar legend B.B. King.

Tennessee College Football  

In the world of graphic designers in the state, PMS 151 is well-known. That’s the official Pantone color of Tennessee Orange. And University of Tennessee sports fans are 100% crazy about their Tennessee Volunteers. They play inside Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, the 6th largest stadium in the US, 8th largest in the world, with a current stated capacity of 101,915, which has been gradually reduced over the years. A UT/Florida game in the early 2000’s reportedly packed the rafters with over 109,000 fans. The stadium is named after US Army Brigadier General Robert Neyland, who served three head coaching stints for UT between 1926 and 1952. UT Football games routinely sell out, and the stadium has also hosted large superstar concerts, including The Jacksons Victory Tour in 1984, Kenny Chesney in 2003, Garth Brooks in 2019 and most recently two nights with Morgan Wallen in 2024.

There’s all this and SO MUCH MORE to celebrate about the Volunteer State on National Tennessee Day October 26th. Tennessee is also home to all four Parkview Independent Senior Living locations, and we’re so proud and honored to serve as home for hundreds of senior residents of our state. Go Big Orange!