1. On January 9, 1861, Louisiana declared its secession from the United States, becoming one of the states to form the Confederacy during the Civil War. This decision came just months before the outbreak of the war and sparked controversy among Louisiana residents.

2. In 1912, the New Orleans Hornets basketball team played their first game on January 9. The Hornets were a professional team that played in the Southern Professional Basketball League and competed against teams from Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas.

3. On January 9, 1922, a group of politicians and businessmen formed the African American Democratic League in Louisiana. The organization aimed to promote the interests of black voters and was one of many similar groups that emerged in the South during the early 20th century.

4. January 9, 1972 saw the opening of the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner, Louisiana. The center is a multi-purpose facility that hosts events such as trade shows, conventions, and concerts. It is also home to the Kenner Stars hockey team.

5. In 1997, the Louisiana Board of Regents voted to establish the Louisiana Scholars' College at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches on January 9. The college is a selective, residential, liberal arts and sciences college that offers rigorous academic programs to high-achieving students. It is one of only a few such programs in the nation.