1. The Battle of Fort Donelson was fought on February 15, 1862, during the American Civil War. The Union victory resulted in the capture of the fort and boosted morale for the Union army.

2. On February 15, 1898, the USS Maine exploded in Havana Harbor, Cuba, leading to the start of the Spanish-American War. Many Louisianans served in the war effort, including the iconic Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders.

3. February 15, 1913, saw the founding of the first African-American Episcopal Church in Louisiana. St. Luke's Episcopal Church in New Orleans was established to provide a place of worship for Black people who were not welcome in white congregations.

4. In 1930, Governor Huey P. Long signed a bill affording a state university charter to Louisiana State University in Alexandria. The university has since become a vital institution of higher education in the state.

5. Louisiana's very first Mardi Gras parade was held on February 15, 1837, in New Orleans. The festival has since become a significant part of Louisiana's culture, attracting visitors from all over the world every year.