1. Louisiana became a state on July 11, 1804. After being under French and Spanish rule, the United States acquired what was then known as the Louisiana Territory in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase. The territory was divided into two parts, with the eastern section becoming the state of Louisiana one year later.

2. On July 11, 1861, the first major battle of the Civil War in Louisiana took place at Bull Run, Virginia. Known as the First Battle of Manassas, Confederate troops led by Thomas J. Jackson (later called "Stonewall" Jackson) defeated Union forces in a shocking victory. Louisiana soldiers played a significant role in the Confederate victory, with the First Louisiana Brigade earning praise for their bravery.

3. One of Louisiana's most iconic musicians, Buddy Guy, was born on July 11, 1936. Despite being born in Lettsworth, Louisiana, Guy is often associated with Chicago blues, having moved there as a young man and playing with legends like Muddy Waters and Junior Wells. He has won numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the blues genre.

4. Louisiana's first public library opened on July 11, 1936, in Shreveport. The library was a project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a federal program designed to provide employment during the Great Depression. The library was initially located in a single room of a local elementary school and contained around 2,300 books.

5. On July 11, 1987, the New Orleans Saints played their first game in the Louisiana Superdome after a $35 million renovation. The Superdome was originally built in 1975 and is one of the most iconic stadiums in the country. The game, which the Saints lost to the Cincinnati Bengals, marked the beginning of a new era for the team in their revamped home stadium.