This week marks the bicentennial celebration of the statehood of Louisiana. Among the historical records of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate at the Center for Legislative Archives are many documents that illustrate the important role Congress plays in the creation of states. For Louisiana the road to statehood was relatively short; it became a state less than 10 years after being acquired from the French Government under provisions of the Louisiana Purchase. Visit our featured documents page for selection of congressional records that document Louisiana’s journey to become the 18th state in the Union.
Proclamation of Governor William Claiborne, 12/20/1803, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives
President Jefferson’s nomination of William Claiborne, 11/30/1804, Records of the U.S. Senate
The Constitution of the State of Louisiana, 1/22/1812, Records of the U.S. Senate
HR 88, 3/20/1812, Records of the U.S. Senate
