Tennessee became the 16th state on June 1, 1796.

Its civic profile spans Appalachian counties, Middle Tennessee, the Mississippi River region, Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, music, manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, universities, and rapid metropolitan growth. Public decisions about schools, roads, health care, housing, economic development, public safety, and local authority often reflect the state’s distinct regions. The sections below connect directly to Tennessee’s representatives, key state offices, and the primary sources for verifying what’s actually happening in government.