This Day in History: October 21

(KALB) - In this segment of This Day in History, we are learning about the most integral part of the South, sugarcane.

The official harvest season for sugarcane typically begins in late September or October and concludes by the end of December or early January.

When the Jesuit priests first brought sugarcane to Louisiana in 1751, no one knew how beneficial it would be to Louisiana’s economy.

Sugarcane now contributes $2 billion to the economy.

In the 19th century, sugarcane became the dominant cash crop, transforming the Louisiana economy and landscape, particularly along the Mississippi River.

To this day, sugarcane production remains a vital part of Louisiana’s economy, culture, and history.