Tennessee

The name of one of the United States of America. It was originally a part of North Carolina. In April, 1784, North Carolina passed an act ceding to the United States, upon certain conditions, all her territory west of the Appalachian or Alleghany Mountains. Before the cession was accepted by congress, it was repealed by another act passed in October, 1784. In December, 1789, the legislature again ceded the territory to the United States; and the cession was accepted by congress by act, April 2, 1790. A convention was called, and a constitution established on February 6, 1796. Tennessee was admitted by an act approved June 1, 1796. Prior to this time a legislature had been elected, the state government organized, and many Important laws enacted. The constitution of 1796 was not submitted to the people for ratification. The authority of the convention established it as the constitution of the state. A new constitution went into effect in 1835. Amendments were ratified in 1853 and 1866. The present