1. In 1804, the Louisiana Purchase Treaty was signed, which transferred control of Louisiana Territory from France to the United States. This event paved the way for Louisiana to become a state in 1812.

2. On February 12, 1861, Louisiana seceded from the Union and joined the Confederacy during the Civil War. The state was a major battleground during the war, with key battles taking place in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport.

3. In 1877, the first Mardi Gras parade was held in New Orleans, a tradition that still continues today as one of the largest and most vibrant celebrations in the world.

4. In 1923, the first Louisiana State University (LSU) football game was held in Tiger Stadium, which would eventually become one of the most iconic college football venues in the country.

5. On February 12, 2009, the New Orleans Saints won their first and only Super Bowl championship with a 31-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. The team's historic victory brought hope and joy to a city still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.