1. In 1861, Louisiana seceded from the Union

On March 19, 1861, Louisiana became the sixth state to secede from the United States and join the Confederacy, prompted by concerns over states' rights and slavery. This decision ultimately led to the Civil War.

2. Louisiana's first-ever governor was inaugurated on March 19

In 1804, Claiborne C. Claiborne was inaugurated as the first governor of Louisiana, just two years after the state was admitted to the Union. He went on to serve two more terms and played a key role in shaping the state's early history.

3. Louisiana's first railway opened on March 19

On March 19, 1831, the Pontchartrain Railway officially opened for business, becoming the first railway in Louisiana. The line ran from New Orleans to Lake Pontchartrain and helped fuel the state's growth and development.

4. A major oil spill occurred off the coast of Louisiana on March 19

In 2018, an oil rig explosion off the coast of Louisiana led to a massive oil spill, which ultimately became one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history. The spill lasted for several months and caused widespread damage to wildlife and local communities.

5. The Louisiana Purchase was signed on March 19

While not technically a Louisiana-specific event, it's worth noting that on March 19, 1803, the Louisiana Purchase was signed, effectively doubling the size of the United States and opening up vast new territories for exploration and settlement. The Louisiana Purchase remains one of the most significant moments in American history.