1. Louisiana became a state: On July 6, 1805, Louisiana became the 18th state to join the Union. It was the first state to be formed from the Louisiana Territory, which was acquired by the United States in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803.

2. The Battle of New Orleans: On July 6, 1814, a British fleet arrived in the Gulf of Mexico and began a campaign to capture the city of New Orleans. The battle that ensued would become one of the most significant events in Louisiana history, with General Andrew Jackson leading American troops to a decisive victory on January 8, 1815.

3. The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927: Beginning in the spring of 1927, heavy rains caused flooding along the Mississippi River that would become one of the largest natural disasters in U.S. history. On July 6, the flood had already devastated much of Louisiana, forcing thousands from their homes and causing millions of dollars in damage.

4. The Huey P. Long Bridge opened: On July 6, 1935, the Huey P. Long Bridge opened to traffic. At the time, it was the longest bridge in the world, spanning over 22 miles across the Mississippi River between Jefferson and St. Charles Parishes.

5. NASA's first landing on Mars: On July 6, 1997, NASA's Mars Pathfinder spacecraft successfully landed on the surface of Mars. The mission marked the first time a spacecraft had landed on the planet in over two decades and helped pave the way for future Mars explorations. Though not specifically related to Louisiana history, it is worth noting that the mission was led by New Orleans native Dr. Brian Muirhead.