1. In 1803, the Louisiana Purchase was finalized, marking the transfer of Louisiana Territory from France to the United States. This acquisition doubled the size of the United States and set the stage for westward expansion.

2. On January 5, 1861, Louisiana seceded from the Union and became the sixth state to join the Confederacy in the lead-up to the American Civil War.

3. One of Louisiana's most famous musicians, Joseph "Professor Longhair" Byrd, was born on January 5, 1918. He was a pioneer of the New Orleans rhythm and blues scene and his unique piano style influenced generations of musicians.

4. The Louisiana Superdome, an iconic sports and entertainment venue in New Orleans, hosted its first ever football game on January 5, 1975. The NFL's New Orleans Saints defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 14-0 in front of a crowd of over 70,000 fans.

5. In 2010, a major earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 struck Haiti, devastating the country and causing widespread destruction and loss of life. Many residents of Louisiana, which has a large Haitian-American community, were directly affected by the disaster and worked to provide aid and support to those in need.