Louisiana Timeline By singergirl2345 Feb 25, 1519 Alonso Alvrez de Pineda maps the Gulf Coast. Alonso Alvrez de Pineda maps the Gulf Coast. Apr 26, 1541 Hernando de Soto is the first European to see the Mississippi River. Apr 26, 1682 Rene-Robert Cavrlier, Sieur de La Salle, names Louisiana. Apr 26, 1763 Spain wins control of Louisiana. Apr 26, 1800 Napoleon convinces Spain to return Louisiana to the French. Apr 26, 1812 Louisiana becomes the 18th state when the war of 1812 began. Apr 26, 1838 the first martigras was held in New Orlenes Apr 26, 1879 Baton Rouge becomes Louisiana’s state capital Apr 26, 1995 Shell Oil installs the Mars platform, the deepest oil platform in the world Apr 26, 2005 Hurricane Katrina and Rita hit southern Louisiana
