1. Louisiana was officially admitted to the Union on October 31, 1812, becoming the 18th state in the United States. Prior to Louisiana's statehood, the territory had been under the control of France and Spain.

2. The Battle of Georgia Landing took place on October 27-29, 1862, during the Civil War. Union forces, led by General William T. Sherman, landed at Georgia Landing on the Atchafalaya River in Louisiana and engaged in a battle with Confederate forces. The Union forces were victorious, securing a key transportation route and opening the way for further Union advances in the area.

3. On October 31, 1871, a massive fire broke out in the city of Chicago, Illinois, causing widespread destruction and resulting in over 200 deaths. While the fire did not directly impact Louisiana, it did have far-reaching effects on the economy of the United States, including in Louisiana.

4. The Louisiana Purchase, a land deal between the United States and France that doubled the size of the United States, was signed on October 31, 1803. The purchase included much of the land west of the Mississippi River, including what is now Louisiana.

5. On October 31, 2005, Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts were still underway in Louisiana. The devastating storm had struck the state two months earlier, causing widespread destruction and displacement. Many Louisiana residents were still struggling to rebuild their homes and communities.