Tennessee was the 16th state admitted to the Union. The state has a 2008 population of just over 6.2 million and is the 14th fastest growing state. Capital and second largest city is Nashville. Memphis is the largest city. Tennessee borders either other states. In te 1780s, eight counties of North Carolina broke away and attempted to form the state of Franklin. They failed in their attempt to join the Union, re-joined North Carolina by 1790, and were ceded to Tennessee in 1790.