1. The Louisiana Purchase was ratified on May 5, 1803. This historic agreement between the United States and France brought over 800,000 square miles of land into American hands, doubling the size of the young nation.

2. On May 5, 1862, the Battle of Baton Rouge took place during the American Civil War. Union troops successfully defended the city against Confederate forces, which helped to solidify Union control over the Mississippi River.

3. Louisiana became the first state in the U.S. to have a statewide holiday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. on May 5, 1979. This holiday is still celebrated annually on the third Monday in January.

4. On May 5, 2008, Hurricane Gustav made landfall in Louisiana, causing widespread destruction and power outages throughout the state. Gustav was one of the strongest hurricanes to hit Louisiana in recent history.

5. The Louisiana State Capitol building was dedicated on May 5, 1932. Standing 450 feet tall, the building is the tallest capitol building in the United States, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.