1. Louisiana's colonial capital was founded on September 18, 1714. The French settlement was established near present-day Mobile, Alabama, and named Fort Louis de la Mobile in honor of Louis XIV of France. In 1720, it became the capital of French Louisiana, and its name was changed to Fort Condé.

2. September 18, 1882, saw the birth of one of Louisiana's most famous musicians, Jelly Roll Morton. Born Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe in New Orleans, Morton is considered a pioneer of early jazz music and is credited with popularizing the New Orleans jazz sound. He wrote and recorded many classic jazz tunes, including "King Porter Stomp" and "Black Bottom Stomp."

3. The Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans was established on September 18, 1930. The medical school was the first in Louisiana and is now part of the LSU Health Sciences Center. It has trained thousands of physicians and helped improve healthcare in the state and across the country.

4. On September 18, 1961, New Orleans became the first city in the South to desegregate its public schools. Four African American girls enrolled at two previously all-white schools, prompting protests and violence from segregationists. It was a significant moment in the Civil Rights Movement and helped pave the way for further integration efforts.

5. Hurricane Rita made landfall in Louisiana on September 18, 2005. The Category 3 storm caused extensive damage and flooding in many areas, particularly in southwest Louisiana. It was one of the strongest hurricanes to hit the state and resulted in 25 deaths and billions of dollars in damage. The recovery effort was long and difficult, but Louisiana residents came together to rebuild their communities.