1. In 1803, the Louisiana Purchase was ratified by the U.S. Senate, making Louisiana a territory of the United States. This historic acquisition doubled the size of the United States and set the stage for westward expansion.

2. On September 13, 1862, the Battle of Iuka was fought in Mississippi, which had a significant impact on Louisiana history. The Confederate army, led by General Sterling Price, was defeated by Union forces under General William Rosecrans. This helped secure Union control over Tennessee and Mississippi, ending Confederate hopes of regaining control of the region.

3. The first African American student enrolled at Louisiana State University (LSU) on September 13, 1953. Autherine Lucy, from Alabama, was admitted to LSU after successfully challenging the university's segregation policy. However, she faced intense racial discrimination and threats, and was ultimately expelled after just three days.

4. Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the Louisiana coast on August 29, 2005, causing widespread devastation across the state. On September 13, 2005, President George W. Bush signed the $62 billion relief bill to help rebuild the affected areas. The hurricane and subsequent flooding claimed the lives of over 1,800 people and caused billions of dollars in damage.

5. On September 13, 2017, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu announced the removal of a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee from Lee Circle, which had been a controversial symbol of the city's Confederate history. The statue was removed on May 19, 2017, as part of a larger effort by the city to remove Confederate monuments and symbols.