1. Louisiana Secedes from the Union: On December 20, 1860, the state of Louisiana officially voted to secede from the Union as it joined other Southern states in the formation of the Confederacy. This act would lead to the bloodiest conflict in American history, the Civil War.

2. The Louisiana Purchase: December 20, 1803, marked a historic day in Louisiana's history as the United States officially took control of the vast territory of Louisiana from France in what is known as the Louisiana Purchase. This acquisition doubled the size of the young nation, opening up new opportunities for westward expansion.

3. First African American Lieutenant Governor: On December 20, 1987, Paul Hardy was sworn in as Louisiana's first African American lieutenant governor. He served in this position until 1992, becoming a trailblazer in the state's political landscape.

4. Louisiana's First Governor: Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, the founder of New Orleans, was appointed as Louisiana's first governor on December 20, 1701. Bienville would go on to have a long and influential career in Louisiana's early days, shaping the state's development in countless ways.

5. Louisiana's Oldest City: Natchitoches, Louisiana, celebrated its 300th anniversary on December 20, 2014. Founded in 1714, Natchitoches is the oldest permanent settlement in the state and a testament to Louisiana's rich cultural heritage. The city hosts an annual Christmas festival that draws thousands of visitors each year.