Here’s what’s happening around East Tennessee today, along with helpful community resources and interesting things to discover beyond our backyard.

Throwback Thursday

Remember when you knew the phone numbers of your family and closest friends by heart? Before contact lists lived in our phones, those seven digits were stored in our heads — and often written beside the kitchen telephone.

Today in History

  • 1787 – Delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia.
  • 1862 – Union and Confederate forces fought the Battle of Antietam near Sharpsburg, Maryland, the bloodiest single day in American military history.
  • 1920 – The American Professional Football Association, which later became the National Football League, was organized in Canton, Ohio.

Tennessee Trivia

The zebra swallowtail was designated Tennessee’s official butterfly in 1995. Its distinctive wings feature black-and-white stripes with red and blue markings.

😊 Today’s Smile

Why did the telephone need a vacation? It was tired of being called all the time.

Today’s Highlights

  • WDVX Blue Plate Special — noon–1 p.m., Visit Knoxville Visitors Center, 301 S. Gay St. Wiser Time and Cody Gentry and The Buffalo Show perform during the free live-music series. Details
  • Ten Year Town film screening and live performance — 6 p.m., Bijou Theatre, 803 S. Gay St. The free event presented by A Step Ahead Foundation of East Tennessee includes the documentary and live music by Erin Enderlin and Chris Canterbury. RSVP is required. Details
  • Knoxville Smokies playoff baseball — 7 p.m., Covenant Health Park. The Smokies host the Rocket City Trash Pandas in Game 2 of the Southern League divisional round. Details
  • Gershwin’s An American in Paris — 7:30 p.m., Tennessee Theatre. The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra opens its Masterworks season with music by Nicky Sohn, Dvořák, William Grant Still and George Gershwin. Details

Featured Resource

Tennessee Valley Fair discount night: Thursday is Tennessee Education Lottery Day. From 5–10 p.m., adults and seniors can receive $7 admission with a non-winning lottery ticket. The fair also offers buy-one-get-one-free unlimited ride wristbands during the same hours. Fair details

Community Connections

  • Muse Knoxville: Find hands-on learning, programs and activities for children and families. More
  • Zoo Knoxville: Check hours, animal experiences and special programs. More
  • Knox County Schools: Check the district calendar and school information. More
  • Knoxville-Knox County Planning: Find agendas, meetings, minutes and planning information. More
  • Local news: Follow breaking news and community updates from Knoxville-area news outlets. More

Beyond Knoxville

  • Across Tennessee: Find concerts, festivals, attractions and entertainment around the state. Read more
  • National: Catch up on the latest U.S. headlines. Read more
  • Sports: Follow the latest sports news and scores. Read more
  • Around the World: Follow international developments through United Nations News. Read more
  • Stock Market: Check the latest market numbers, trends and financial news. Read more

National Month

National Honey Month — September celebrates honey and the honeybees that help produce it, while drawing attention to the importance of pollinators in agriculture and food production.

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