1. In 1774, Louis Antoine de Bougainville arrived at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Bougainville was the first French explorer to circumnavigate the world and his landing marked the beginning of French colonization in Louisiana.

2. In 1886, the first sugar mill in Louisiana was built in the town of Kenner. The sugar industry became a major economic force in the state and Louisiana is still the largest producer of sugar in the United States.

3. In 1861, Louisiana became the sixth state to secede from the United States and join the Confederacy. The state's decision to secede was heavily influenced by the institution of slavery, which was a crucial part of the state's economy at the time.

4. In 1979, New Orleans hosted the first ever World Championship Gumbo Cookoff. The event has since become an annual celebration of Louisiana's culinary heritage, with teams from across the state competing to make the best gumbo.

5. In 2002, Hurricane Lili made landfall near Intracoastal City, Louisiana. The storm caused significant damage to coastal areas of the state and led to the evacuation of over half a million people. Despite the widespread destruction, there were no fatalities reported in Louisiana as a result of the storm.