1. Jazz legend Louis Armstrong was born on August 4, 1901, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century and helped popularize jazz around the world.

2. On August 16, 1812, the Battle of Gueulette took place near Donaldsonville, Louisiana, during the War of 1812. The battle was fought between a British force and members of the West Florida Militia, who were defending the area. The British were successful in taking the area and looted and burned the town.

3. On August 16, 1896, the Louisiana Lottery Company, which had been operating in the state since 1868, was forced to shut down by the Louisiana Legislature after years of controversy and corruption allegations.

4. On August 16, 1916, the town of Cameron, Louisiana, was destroyed by a hurricane. The storm surge caused extensive damage and killed over 100 people in the area.

5. On August 16, 1983, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the landmark case of Board of Education v. Dowell that federal courts could end desegregation orders if a school district had "demonstrated good faith" in desegregating its schools. The case originated in Oklahoma City but had implications for school desegregation efforts in Louisiana and other states as well.