Happy Birthday, Louisiana!

With more than 400 festivals a year, one of the world’s best Carnival celebrations and an unofficial motto of “Let the good times roll!” Louisiana is no stranger to throwing a good party.

This year, we’re throwing a party that’s been 200 years in the making. That’s right, 2012 marks the bicentennial of Louisiana’s statehood. It was on April 30, 1812, that Louisiana was admitted as the 18th state in the Union.

From the very beginning, we stood out from the rest because of our Catholic French- and Spanish-speaking populations. Today, we’re still known for being a little bit different. Our music, food, history and outdoor adventures make us unlike any other state in the country.

We’re celebrating these distinctions with a variety of events around the state. On April 28, join us on the grounds of the state capitol in Baton Rouge for a Bicentennial Family Homecoming Celebration complete with music and food.

On April 30, a birthday bash will be held at the capitol and the United States Postal Service will release a special bicentennial stamp featuring a photograph from Louisiana native and nature photographer C.C. Lockwood.

You can learn more about the Louisiana bicentennial, find a calendar of bicentennial events and check out a list of 200 free things to do around the state at www.LouisianaBicentennial2012.com.