Discover Memphis: Top 9 Fun and Fascinating Facts You Need to Know!

1. World Championship Barbecue Contest

Where there's smoke, there's ire: Memphis hosts the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest where grill masters compete for a share of $145,000 in prizes, celebrating saucy categories like Ribs, Shoulder, Whole Hog, Hot Wings, and more, on its legendary riverfront downtown in Tom Lee Park.
Source => memphisinmay.org

2. Sun Studio: Birthplace of Rock & Roll

In Memphis, you could say that the "sun" also rises with the beat: Sun Studio, which opened in 1950 as Memphis Recording Service, is the birthplace of Rock & Roll, boasting a history of legendary artists like Howlin' Wolf, B.B. King, and Johnny Cash. It was here that Jackie Brenston's "Rocket 88" – the first Rock & Roll single – took off in 1951, and Elvis Presley's star began to shine in 1954 with his first recording, "That's All Right." The studio's musical magic continues today, using the same tube-technology equipment that brought the world its groove.
Source => kcbx.org

Discover Tennessee's real-life heroes who battled for the Mississippi territory, paving the way for Andrew Jackson's victorious presidential run in 1828. Unleash the power of Tennessee grit!

=> Fun Facts about Tennessee

3. Graceland's Graceful Origin

Before Elvis became the King of Rock and Roll, Grace was the ruling monarch of her very own estate: Graceland, the emblematic mansion in Memphis, was initially owned by the S.E. Toof family who named it after their relative Grace, but in 1957, Elvis Presley bought the property for just over $100,000, turning it into his beloved home base and entertaining hub for family and friends.
Source => graceland.com

4. Peabody's Quacky Celebrities

In the heart of Memphis, a feathery A-list clique struts down the red carpet daily, making the Kardashians' shenanigans seem like mere child's play: At The Peabody Memphis, a group of resident ducks marches from the elevator to the lobby fountain under the guidance of their official Duckmaster. As if that weren't ritzy enough, these quacky celebrities reside in their own Duck Palace atop the hotel, complete with a miniature version of The Peabody for splashing around, all while visitors catch a glimpse of their royal lodgings and enjoy breathtaking city and river views from the rooftop.
Source => memphistravel.com

5. Memphis' Seismic Secrets

Hold onto your Elvis wigs, Memphis shakers: Memphis is located in the New Madrid Seismic Zone, the most active seismic area in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, experiencing hundreds of small earthquakes each year, most of which only reveal themselves to the watchful eyes of sensitive instruments.
Source => dnr.mo.gov

6. Medical Device Manufacturing Hub

If you thought the only thing the good folks of Memphis, Tennessee had going on was BBQ ribs and some catchy tunes, then you must brace yourself for a surprise worthy of a medical drama season finale: This musical city is actually the beating heart of America's thriving medical device manufacturing industry, providing over 18,000 jobs and pumping a whopping $4 billion annually into their economy, all thanks to their powerhouse healthcare sector, complete with research centers, universities, and hospitals. Who knew Memphis was a true triple-threat – tickling your taste buds, serenading your ears, and saving lives!
Source => commercialappeal.com

7. Tyson vs. Lewis: Record-Breaking Fight

In a battle fit for the big screen, where punches packed more power than a raging Hulk and viewers were on the edge of their thrones à la Game of Thrones: Memphis hosted the unforgettable heavyweight title fight between Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis on June 8, 2002, breaking pay-per-view history with 50 million homes tuning in and grossing over a million buys, all for the thrilling experience of witnessing a knockout in the fourth round.
Source => espn.com

8. Memphis' Egyptian Bass Pro Pyramid

In Memphis, ancient Egypt rubs shoulders with the great outdoors and rock-'n-roll, forming a pyramid worthy of both pharaohs and fishermen: Once an iconic sports arena, the massive 321-foot-tall Memphis Pyramid now houses a Bass Pro Shops megastore, complete with a hotel, restaurants, bowling alley, archery range, and an observation deck, all under the watchful eye of its grand, sphinx-like structure since 2015.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

9. Piggly Wiggly: World's First Supermarket

Before there was ever a pigskin flying through the air at a football game, there was a Piggly Wiggly taking flight as the world's first supermarket: Established in 1916 by Tennessean Clarence Saunders, this groundbreaking grocery emporium let customers hog-tie their own loot, while sow-ing the seeds of franchising for other aspiring pig-trepreneurs. Today, the Piggly Wiggly heritage endures with around 600 locations worldwide, and you can even snort in the nostalgia by visiting a replica of the very first store at the Pink Palace Museum in Memphis.
Source => tnmuseum.org