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In 1921, the Appalachian Trail was proposed.
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The Great Smoky Mountain National Park was formed.
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The Blue Ridge Parkway construction began in 1935 and employed thousands across the region. After 52 years of construction, it was completed in 1936.
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The town of Oak Ridge, TN. was formed as a secret government city where the workers created the first atomic weapons.
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In 1965, Bluegrass held its first multi-day festival which lasted four days.
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Knoxville hosted the World's Fair in 1982. At the event, the fair introduced the world’s first touch-screen computer display, the Cherry Coke, and the Sun sphere, a 26-story steel tower with a giant bronze globe at the top.
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In 1985, the Biltmore Estate opened up to friends and family. Today, Biltmore is a very popular tourist attraction and is a big part of Appalachian culture.
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In 1986, Dolly Parton became part owner of the amusement park, Silver Dollar City. She renamed the park Dollywood and it became an instant success. Dollywood is a big part of Tennessee's culture and is credited as being the most popular ticketed attraction in the state.
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In 2001, twenty five elk were brought to the Cataloochee Valley by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
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In 2010, the Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery opened up in Gatlinburg, TN. The distillery is now America's most visited distillery.