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New Orleans LA: Fast Facts
Name derivation: for French regent Philippe, Duc d'Orleans
Nickname: Big Easy.
City of New Orleans Flag: The Official Flag of the City of New Orleans was adopted by the Commission Council February 5, 1918. The white field of New Orleans LA flag is the symbol of purity in government; the blue stripe is liberty and the red is fraternity.
Population: New Orleans is the largest city in Louisiana with population of around 500,000 people.
Ethnic Composition: 1990- Black: 61.9%; White: 34.9%; Hispanic: 3.5%; Other:4.2%
City Government: New Orleans LA government consists of the mayor and the City Council which as the legislative branch of local government, enacts laws to protect the citizens of New Orleans.
Geography: New Orleans is located on the Mississippi River, most of it sitting on the east bank of the river. The city spans over a land area of about 200 square miles (518 sq km). Persons per square mile (2000): 2,677.8.
New Orleans History Facts
1718 - Jean Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville and John Law founded the City of New Orleans and named it. The French Quarter street plan was made by Adrien de Pauger.
1722 - New Orleans becomes the Capital of the Louisiana Colony.
1727 - Ursuline Nuns arrive in New Orleans.
1729 - Indian massacre of the French at Natchez.
1755 - French Acadians began to arrive in New Orleans.
1763 - New Orleans becomes a Spanish colony by the signing of the Treaty of Paris.
1767 - New Orleans became Capital of Spanish Louisiana.
1769 - First Spanish Governor, Alexander O'Reilly takes control of Louisiana Colony, French rebellion resulted in execution of five French leaders.
1788 - In the French Quarter, over 850 structures are destroyed by fire.
1794 - St. Louis Cathedral construction is completed. Another large fire destroys buildings in the French Quarter.
1800 - Louisiana secretly returned to France.
1803 - Louisiana Purchase, Napoleon I sells Louisana to the United States.
1812 - Louisiana admitted to the Union as the 18th state. First steamboat reached New Orleans.
1827 - The first Mardi Gras celebration is held in New Orleans.
1835 - The United States Mint is built in New Orleans.
1837 - The first documented Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans.
1840 - Port of New Orleans ranked fourth in World.
1850 - Place d'Armes officially renamed Jackson Square.
1852 - New Orleans LA is the third largest city in the United States.
1853 - Yellow Fever Epidemic (more than 8,000 died).
1857 - First modern Mardi Gras parade sponsored by a Krewe.
1861 - Louisiana secedes from the Union.
1862 - New Orleans captured by Federal Troops under General David Farragut, placed under the command of Gen. Benjamin Butler
1865 - Louisiana returns to the Union.
1872 - Krewe of Rex organized.
1884 - World Cotton Exposition.
1894 - Krewe of Zulu organized.
1910 - The last coins are minted in New Orleans and the Mint is closed.
1911 - Loyola University is established at New Orleans LA.
1975 - The Superdome is completed.
1984 - Louisiana World Exposition at New Orleans LA.
1988 - New Orleans hosts the Republican National Congress.