1. Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana on August 26, 2005, causing widespread devastation and displacement. The storm killed over 1,800 people and caused billions of dollars in damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure.

2. In 1920, the Louisiana State Board of Health issued a quarantine order for all people arriving from New York City due to a polio outbreak. The order was controversial and faced legal challenges, but ultimately helped prevent the spread of the disease in Louisiana.

3. August 26 is also celebrated as Women's Equality Day, commemorating the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920, which granted women the right to vote. Louisiana played an important role in the suffrage movement, with leaders like Kate Gordon and Louise S. McGehee advocating for women's rights.

4. On August 26, 1814, British troops led by General Edward Pakenham landed near Lake Borgne, marking the beginning of the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812. The battle would become a pivotal moment in American history, cementing Andrew Jackson's reputation as a military hero and boosting American morale.

5. In 1973, Edwin Edwards became the first Louisiana governor to be indicted while in office. He was accused of accepting bribes in exchange for awarding contracts to a hospital company. The scandal would ultimately lead to Edwards' conviction in 2000 and his subsequent imprisonment.