By Jeanni Ritchie
On April 30, 1812, Louisiana became the 18th U.S. state—just nine years after the Louisiana Purchase. The state constitution had been signed earlier that year, on January 22, 1812, in New Orleans. Louisiana officially joined the Union during the same year the War of 1812 began, with the state’s militia contributing nearly 10,000 men to the war effort.
President James Madison signed the act creating the state on April 8, 1812, choosing April 30 as the official admission date to align with the anniversary of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase.
As part of America’s upcoming 250th birthday celebration, Louisiana will once again play a role in highlighting the nation’s early history.
The original French exchange copy of the Louisiana Purchase document will be displayed at Louisiana’s Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge beginning April 14, 2026. On loan from the National Archives, this rare exhibition includes documents signed by Napoleon Bonaparte and offers a unique glimpse into one of the most significant land deals in American history.
Titled Bought for a Song: A Young Nation Expands, the exhibit is part of a larger commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and highlights Louisiana’s pivotal role in the expansion of the United States.
The document has only been displayed at the Old State Capitol once before, in 1994, making this a rare opportunity for visitors.
Reservations are recommended for opening week (April 14–18, 2026).
Exhibit Details:
Louisiana’s Old State Capitol
100 North Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA
Opens April 14, 2026
For history lovers and lifelong readers alike, it’s a rare opportunity to see the document that helped shape our state—and to celebrate the story Louisiana continues to tell.
Jeanni Ritchie is a native of Louisiana, delighted to have returned to her hometown of Alexandria. While she travels the country each month, she has found that there is truly no place like home.
