Just in case you did not think Louisiana was eclectic enough – here are some truly unique, informative, interesting, and down right weird tidbits about Louisiana and one of its largest cities, New Orleans.
Louisiana’s strange laws
- Louisiana was first successfully settled in 1718 after the French explorer Rene-Robert Cavelier had claimed it for France in 1682.
- Louisiana became the 18th state of the Union on August 30,1812
- There is a bill in the State House of Representatives that fixed a ceiling on haircuts for bald men of 25 cents.
- There have been over 30 hurricanes that have hit Louisiana since 1900. The most notable hurricane in recent history being Katrina (2005). Hurricane Isaac’s (2012) storm surge was so powerful that the Mississippi River ran backwards for 24 hours.
- Louisiana has political divisions called parishes, not counties.
- It is illegal to gargle in public….. seriously!
- Louisiana is the only state that has a population of Cajuns. Descendants of a 17th century settlement called Acadia that was driven out of Canada in the mid-1700’s.
- Louisiana is the only state that still refers to the Napoleonic Code in its state law which forbids privileges based on birth and allows freedom of religion.
- It is illegal for a palm reader, fortune-teller or mystic to officiate a wedding in New Orleans.
- The town of Jean Lafitte was once a hideaway for pirates.
- New Orleans hosts the world-renowned celebration of Mardi Gras. An ancient southern Europe custom brought to Louisiana by the French. It celebrates food and fun on Fat Tuesday just before Lent, 40 days of prayer and personal sacrifice.
- New Orleans Voodoo has its roots from African slaves.
- If you bite someone in Louisiana with your natural teeth it is considered a simple assault. But if you bite them with false teeth it is considered aggravated assault.
this one made me laugh…..
- You are not allowed to tie an alligator to a fire hydrant in New Orleans!
