Every state has their own embarrassing facts and laws, and despite how wonderful Tennessee is, we're not exempt from that rule. For example, did you know that a small town in East Tennessee once tried and hanged an elephant for murder? Yep! You read that right! An elephant! If you think that's embarrassing, just wait until you read the following fun facts and strange laws in Tennessee. Some of them will really leave you scratching your head in wonder. Don't believe us? Then take a look below.
1. We're one of the worst states to find love.
Interestingly, Tennessee is one of the worst states for single people in the country. Tennessean singles just might be like the '80s country song and are looking for love in all the wrong places. So, if you're looking for love, you might want to go elsewhere.
2. We're the home of the Scopes Monkey Trial.
In 1925, John Scopes was tried in Dayton for the crime of teaching Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. He was found guilty and fined $100 (over $1,300 in today's dollars). The Supreme Court didn't rule it was unconstitutional to ban teaching evolution until the 1960s.
3. We tried and hanged an elephant for murder.
On September 13, 1916, the town of Erwin hung a vicious killer nicknamed "Murderous Mary." She was an elephant. They hung an elephant for mauling one of her keepers.
4. We're the birthplace of a recognized hate group.
Pulaski happens to be the birthplace of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), which was founded after the Civil War. It's definitely not our proudest moment, and in fact, many parks and monuments to Confederate soldiers who helped found the Ku Klux Klan have been renamed and taken down in recent years.
5. Women can't call men for a date in Dyersburg.
In the small town of Dyersburg, it's illegal for a woman to call a man for a date. So, Dyersburg men, it sounds like the ball is in your court. Now's not the time to act shy.
6. Women can't drive in Memphis.
In Memphis, women technically aren't allowed to drive unless a man runs in front of the car waving a red flag to warn other motorists and pedestrians. Obviously, this isn't enforced, and it's one of the many silly laws in Tennessee.
7. Schoolkids can't hold hands.
It's illegal for children to hold hands in school in Tennessee. Why? Because it's considered a "gateway sexual activity."
8. We claim the first impeached president.
The first president of the United States to get impeached was Andrew Johnson, who was, of course, from Tennessee. This is just one of the many fun facts about Tennessee.
9. Jack Daniels died from kicking a safe.
Yep! The same Jack Daniels who created one of the most famous whiskies in the world died after he injured his toe by kicking a safe. The injury led to a blood infection, which eventually ended up killing him.
10. You can't carry skunks across the border.
Again, at what point was this such a problem that we created a law to specifically punish people that tried to carry a skunk across the border? Pretty strange, huh? After all, why would anyone want to carry a skunk? They usually frighten people away.
11. Whales are the only animal you can shoot from your car. That's right! Whales!
It's illegal to shoot any animal from a moving vehicle unless it's a whale. Let's be honest though. If you see a whale in Tennessee while in your car, you should probably shoot it because it's likely an alien invader using a cloaking device.
12. It's illegal to eat roadkill.
So, was this a big enough problem that we really needed to make a law for it? Thanks for clarifying that this might not be the best idea, Tennessee.
Pretty embarrassing, right? Don't be too embarrassed though. Tennessee has plenty of truly wonderful facts as well. Here are 20 Facts About Tennessee You Never Knew Were True.
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