New Orleans History

The laid-back city of New Orleans has been called "The Big Easy" and "The City that Care Forgot." They say that, at any given time, everybody in New Orleans is either attending a party, planning a party, or recovering from a party. Known for its wild, free-wheeling festivities that habitually spill out into the streets, this is the city that gave birth to jazz and jambalaya, and made Mardi Gras a household word. The city of New Orleans is an eclectic mix of cultures - European, African, and Caribbean - that have fused together to create something altogether unique.

Founded in 1718 by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, the settlement was named Nouvelle-Orléans in honor of the Regent of France, Phillip II, Duc d'Orleans. From the beginning, the settlement was intended to be an important colonial city that would command the trade route through the Mississippi Valley. Nouvelle-Orléans was established on a rare stretch of high ground at a bend along the lower Mississippi. Surrounded by river, lake, and swamp, it was an oasis of civilization in an otherwise hostile territory. In 1722, Nouvelle-Orléans replaced Biloxi as the capital of French Louisiana. In 1763, in the aftermath of the French and Indian War, the colony was ceded to Spain as a part of the Treaty of Fontainebleau to keep it out of British hands. Napoleon regained the territory for France in 1801, and sold it to the U.S. in 1803 as a part of the Louisiana Purchase. Now known as New Orleans, the city grew rapidly with an influx of immigrants and new settlers. In addition to the Creoles (who were descended from the original colonists), and the Cajuns (who were descended from the Arcadians, who had fled there from Nova Scotia in 1755), the population was infused by French nationalists immigrating from Cuba or fleeing the revolution in Haiti.

During the War of 1812, the British attempted to seize New Orleans to gain control of the Mississippi River. By this time, Britain and the U.S. had negotiated the Treaty of Ghent to end the war, but the news had not yet reached Louisiana. The British troops were met by American forces in late 1814, led by Andrew Jackson. The fighting continued for nearly four weeks, until the British were decisively defeated at the Battle of New Orleans. By the time of the Civil War, New Orleans had grown prosperous from its numerous cotton plantations, as well as its status as an important slave port. Because of its strategic value, New Orleans was captured early by Union troops and held throughout the duration of the war. The economy suffered drastically, but the city itself survived relatively intact.

Because of its location along the lower Mississippi, New Orleans has always been vulnerable to flooding. The city has endured a number of major storms and hurricanes since its founding, especially as its limits spread into the low-lying areas around the original settlement. The city had a number of safety measures in place - levees, floodwalls, and a drainage system designed by A. Baldwin Wood. Sadly, these measures proved ineffective against the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In what has come to be called the worst civil engineering disaster in American history, over 1,500 people were killed and 80% of the city was flooded. Efforts are still underway to rebuild the city's infrastructure and return New Orleans to normal, with organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Church World Service working to assist those who lost their homes to the hurricane.

But the folks of New Orleans have a long tradition of bouncing back from adversity. The Mardi Gras Carnival, a tradition in Louisiana since 1699, went on as scheduled in 2006, albeit on a slightly limited scale. Over the years, some of the major parades may have been altered or cancelled due to war, weather, or economic hardship - especially during the Civil War and World War II. However, it is a point of pride in New Orleans that the city has never missed a celebration of Carnival. Mardi Gras celebrations usually run the gamut from the family friendly parades of the Garden District to the rambunctious festivities of the French Quarter. But no matter where you are in the city, Mardi Gras is always an opportunity to forget your troubles, kick up your heels, and "let the good times roll."

Rather than overgrow its heritage, the city of New Orleans has chosen to grow around it. Uptown is replete with Victorian mansions, while the French Quarter features a number of ornate colonial French and Spanish homes. The world-famous Bourbon Street runs the length of the French Quarter, and is home to some of New Orleans' most popular bars, restaurants, and nightspots. The French Quarter is the home of the House of Blues and Café du Monde, known for its beignets and café au lait, and Preservation Hall, the Quarter's oldest surviving building and one of New Orleans' premiere jazz clubs. New Orleans is also known for its beautiful cemeteries, including the Metairie Cemetery and the Saint Louis Cemetery.

People say the only indigenous music and food of the U.S. comes from New Orleans. Jazz was born in New Orleans, a blending of European instruments and African rhythms that was created by the slaves of French and Creole plantations and honed by such giants as Buddy Bolden, Kid Ory, and Louis Armstrong. New Orleans is also known for its food, an amalgam of Cajun country, haute Creole, and French cuisine. The city's proximity to the coast has always meant a steady supply of oysters, crawfish, and other seafood, while the variety of cultures have given rise to staples like étouffée, gumbo, and the traditional red beans and rice. Both food and music are celebrated every spring with the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

Other places of interest in New Orleans include Louis Armstrong Park, the Island of Salvation Botanica, and the Louisiana Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints (NFL).