1. In 1803, the Louisiana Purchase was officially transferred to the United States from France. This historic event doubled the size of the United States and played a significant role in shaping the history of Louisiana.

2. On December 21, 1868, Louisiana was re-admitted to the Union after the Civil War. This marked the end of the Reconstruction era in Louisiana and paved the way for the state to enter a new chapter in its history.

3. In 1935, Huey Long, a prominent Louisiana politician, was assassinated at the Louisiana State Capitol building in Baton Rouge. Long, who served as governor and U.S. senator, was known for his populist policies and was a controversial figure in Louisiana politics.

4. On December 21, 1969, the sinking of the oil rig Blue Dolphin caused one of the worst oil spills in the history of the Gulf of Mexico. The spill occurred off the coast of Louisiana and spread over 350 square miles, causing significant environmental damage.

5. In 1988, the Louisiana Supreme Court ruled in the case of Edwards v. Aguillard that it was unconstitutional to require creationism to be taught in public school science classes. The ruling was a victory for advocates of the separation of church and state and had national implications for the teaching of evolution in public schools.