1. Louisiana became a state on December 18, 1812. It was the 18th state to join the United States and was part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.

2. On December 18, 1894, the Louisiana Lottery Company was officially shut down after facing legal battles and allegations of corruption. The lottery was once a major economic force in the state, but its downfall led to the passage of anti-gambling laws.

3. In 1963, the Pelican State Junior College was established in Hammond, Louisiana on December 18. Today, it is known as the Southeastern Louisiana University and is part of the University of Louisiana System.

4. On December 18, 1986, Louisiana became the first state in the nation to enact a statewide mandatory seat belt law, requiring drivers and front-seat passengers to wear seat belts. This law has been credited with saving countless lives on Louisiana's roads.

5. The 2008 New Orleans Saints football team clinched the NFC South Division title on December 18th with a win against the Detroit Lions. The victory was a significant moment for the city of New Orleans, which was still recovering from Hurricane Katrina and saw the team as a symbol of hope and resilience. The Saints went on to win their first Super Bowl championship that season.