1. The Louisiana Purchase Treaty was signed on April 8, 1803, officially transferring control of the vast Louisiana Territory from France to the United States. The acquisition of this land greatly expanded the size of the United States and paved the way for westward expansion.

2. On April 8, 1864, a skirmish occurred in Mansfield, Louisiana during the Civil War. The Battle of Mansfield was a Confederate victory and resulted in the Union army retreating back to Louisiana, effectively ending the Red River Campaign.

3. The iconic Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans opened on April 8, 1975. At the time, it was the largest indoor stadium in the world and has since been the site of many high-profile sporting events, concerts, and political conventions.

4. On April 8, 2007, the New Orleans Saints signed quarterback Drew Brees, who would go on to lead the team to their first Super Bowl victory in 2010. Brees is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time and has become a beloved figure in the city of New Orleans.

5. The Louisiana State Capitol building in Baton Rouge was dedicated on April 8, 1932. At 450 feet tall, it is the tallest capitol building in the United States and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.