1) On June 8, 1812, Louisiana became the 18th state to join the Union. The Louisiana Purchase, which had been acquired by the United States from France in 1803, made up much of the state's territory.

2) The first ever professional basketball game played in Louisiana took place on June 8, 1946. The New Orleans Pelicans (now called the New Orleans Hornets) faced off against the Los Angeles Alhambra.

3) On June 8, 1953, the Louisiana State Capitol was dedicated. At 450 feet tall, it is the tallest capitol building in the United States and is located in Baton Rouge, the state's capital.

4) Louisiana has a rich musical history, and on June 8, 1960, Louisiana native Fats Domino recorded his hit song "Walking to New Orleans." The song has since become a staple of New Orleans-inspired music and culture.

5) Louisiana is known for its seafood, and on June 8, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill began in the Gulf of Mexico. The spill had a devastating impact on the state's fishing industry and the environment, causing long-lasting damage to the ecosystem.