1. On August 12, 1964, Sidney Barthelemy, the first African American mayor of New Orleans, was born. He served as the mayor from 1986 to 1994 and is remembered for his significant contributions to the city.

2. The Battle of Baton Rouge during the American Civil War, which took place on August 12, 1862, is considered one of the most significant Civil War battles in Louisiana. Union troops, led by General Thomas Williams, battled Confederate soldiers, led by General John C. Breckinridge, resulting in a Union victory.

3. On August 12, 1908, the New Orleans Mint produced its final coin. The mint was established in 1838 and produced coins until it was seized by the Confederacy in 1861. It was later restored by the federal government and remained in operation until its closure in 1909.

4. Louisiana’s first public high school for Black students, McDonogh 35, was established on August 12, 1917. The school was founded by Isidore Newman and funded by John McDonogh, a wealthy New Orleans businessman.

5. The Louisiana Hayride, a popular country music radio broadcast, debuted on August 12, 1948. The show, which aired from Shreveport, Louisiana, launched the careers of many notable country music artists, including Hank Williams and Elvis Presley.