1. In 1804, Louisiana became a territory of the United States as a result of the Louisiana Purchase. This territory was the largest ever acquired by the US, and it paved the way for the eventual statehood of Louisiana.

2. In 1864, during the American Civil War, Union forces under General Nathaniel Banks occupied the city of Baton Rouge. This marked a significant victory for the North, as Louisiana had been a key Confederate state.

3. In 1895, the great Louisiana politician Huey Long was born in Winnfield, LA. Long served as governor of Louisiana from 1928 to 1932 before being elected to the US Senate. He was known for his populist views and controversial methods of governance.

4. In 1957, the first African American students enrolled at Louisiana State University. These students, Ruby Bridges and Leona Tate, were part of a group of six students who integrated schools in New Orleans.

5. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck Louisiana, causing widespread devastation and loss of life. The storm was one of the most destructive and costliest in US history, and it had a lasting impact on the people of Louisiana.