What is the exploration of Tennessee?

* Hernando de Soto and his expedition spent the winter of 1540–1541 near present-day Memphis.

* De Soto's expedition reached the Mississippi River near present-day Memphis in 1541.

1673

* Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet explored the Mississippi River and reached present-day Memphis.

1769

* Daniel Boone explored present-day Tennessee and Kentucky.

1770

* James Robertson and a group of settlers founded the Watauga Association, the first permanent European settlement in present-day Tennessee.

1772

* Robertson and other settlers founded Fort Nashborough, which later became Nashville.

1776

* The Watauga Association declared its independence from North Carolina and became the State of Franklin.

1790

* Tennessee was admitted to the Union as the 16th state.