National Tennessee Day is observed worldwide every October 26 to recognize Tennessee as the 16th state to join the Union. Established by National Day Calendar in 2017, the holiday celebrates Tennessee's rich history, including its nickname "The Volunteer State," which reflects its strong military service tradition dating back to the War of 1812. The state, named after the Cherokee settlement of Tanasi, has a history of European exploration beginning in the mid-16th century with Spanish explorers. The first European settlements were established by French fur traders, followed by British settlers who built Fort Loudoun in 1756. The area was initially part of the British colonies' western frontier and saw early self-governing bodies formed by settlers in the 1770s. Tennessee was formally admitted as a state on June 1, 1796, after North Carolina ceded its western lands to the federal government. National Tennessee Day does not coincide with the state’s admission anniversary but is part of a series of national state days celebrating states in the order they joined the Union.