why is tennessee the volunteers

Tennessee is called the "Volunteers" or the "Volunteer State" because of the large number of Tennesseans who volunteered to fight during significant wars in American history. The nickname originated during the War of 1812, when many men from Tennessee volunteered to join the militia and played a key role in battles like the Battle of New Orleans under Andrew Jackson. This spirit of volunteering was further solidified during the Mexican-American War in 1848 when President James K. Polk called for 2,600 volunteers, and Tennessee responded by sending an overwhelming 30,000 volunteers. This tradition of volunteerism became a source of pride and identity for the state, and the University of Tennessee adopted the "Volunteers" nickname for its sports teams as a tribute to this heritage.