These Wild Louisiana Fourth of July Facts Might Shock You

(KNGT-FM) - The Fourth of July is fast approaching, so I decided to do a little bit of digging about the History of Louisiana and the Fourth. I will say, some of these really shocked me.

Independence Day is such a great holiday in America because most people get to hang out with family and friends while hanging at the lake, or by the pool, and even grilling up some mean Barbecue. Then, to round out the day, everyone settles in for a nice fireworks show.

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I got a kick out of this... I asked AI to tell me how they think Louisiana folks celebrate the Fourth of July, and you're bound to get a little chuckle...

In Louisiana, the Fourth of July isn’t just a holiday, it’s an excuse to throw a party with enough food to feed the whole parish. Folks fire up the pit for boudin, burgers, and probably something wrapped in bacon. Someone's uncle is guaranteed to bring fireworks that may or may not be legal, and there’s always that one cousin trying to pop a Roman candle out of a crawfish pot. You’ll hear zydeco blasting from the porch, smell jambalaya from three houses down, and if you're not sweating by noon, you’re probably inside hiding from the heat. It’s hot, it’s loud, and it’s Louisiana at its most patriotic.

I will give AI a little credit here; they did nail the partying line right, because we're always looking for a reason to party.

READ MORE: Fourth of July Events in Lake Charles & Southwest Louisiana

Alright, so let's take a look at some of the facts...

The Louisiana Purchase Was Finalized on July 4 - One of the biggest land deals in American history happened on July 4, 1803. That was the day the U.S. officially finalized the Louisiana Purchase from France. The deal doubled the size of the country and gave Louisiana its name.

Louisiana Celebrated Independence Day Before It Was a National Holiday - Louisiana became a state in 1812, and people here started celebrating the Fourth of July that same year. But the U.S. government didn’t make it a national holiday until 1870. That means Louisiana was already celebrating it for nearly 60 years on its own.

Baton Rouge had a Battle on July 4, 1779 - During the American Revolution, Spanish forces and colonial allies captured Baton Rouge from the British. The battle took place on July 4, 1779, making it one of the few Revolutionary War battles fought in Louisiana, and it happened on Independence Day.

These facts definitely show that Louisiana has a unique history when it comes to the Fourth of July & Independence Day. If you're celebrating this upcoming week, be sure to stay safe!