HISTORIC ARTICLE

Aug 17, 1786 CE: Davy Crockett Born

On August 17, 1786, Davy Crockett—the “King of the Wild Frontier” in American popular culture—was born near what is now Limestone, Tennessee.

Grades

5 - 8

Subjects

Social Studies, U.S. History

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On August 17, 1786, Davy Crockett was born near what is now the town of Limestone, Tennessee. Davy Crockett was nicknamed the “King of the Wild Frontier.” There are many stories about Davy Crockett. Some of them are true, some are just made up. A popular song about him says he was “born on a mountaintop in Tennessee” and “killed a bear when he was only three.” In fact, Limestone is in a river valley, not a mountaintop . . . and no toddler ever killed a bear! Davy Crockett became very popular when a TV series about him was made in the 1950s. So many boys and girls wanted Davy’s coonskin cap that the company sold 5,000 caps every day!

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Writer

National Geographic Society

Producer

National Geographic Society

other

Last Updated

October 19, 2023

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