1. In 1803, the Louisiana Purchase was completed. This historic purchase doubled the size of the United States and enabled the country to expand westward.

2. On October 16, 1811, the Battle of the Raft took place near Pineville, Louisiana. The armed conflict was between U.S. government forces and local pirates and smugglers who were using a natural logjam in the Mississippi River to loot passing boats.

3. In 1843, the first Catholic university in the United States, the University of Notre Dame, was established in New Orleans by the Congregation of Holy Cross.

4. Louisiana State University, one of the largest public universities in the United States, was founded on October 16, 1860. The university is located in Baton Rouge and offers degrees in a variety of fields.

5. Barbecue pitmaster, Aaron Franklin, was born on October 16, 1977, in Bryan, Texas. Franklin is known for his award-winning brisket and for popularizing the Texas-style barbecue. He now owns the popular restaurant, Franklin Barbecue, in Austin, Texas.