NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — State lawmakers have approved a resolution officially designating Tennessee as "The Volunteer State."
The resolution received unanimous approval from the GOP-controlled House on Monday after receiving the same approval in the GOP-controlled Senate the week before. Tennessee first became known as "The Volunteer State" during the War of 1812 due to its prominent role of sending 1,500 volunteer soldiers.
However, despite the popularity of the nickname, the resolution's sponsors say it was never officially adopted into Tennessee's statutes.
According to the secretary of state's website, the War of 1812 thrust Tennessee into the national spotlight by showcasing its "military and political prowess."
