I’m so excited to be in New Orleans this week! It will be my first time visiting this iconic city. As I start planning my trip, I decided to do some research on the history of the Big Easy to get a better sense of the place I’ll be exploring. In this post, I’ll share some of the fascinating history I learned. Stay tuned for a vlog recap of my actual trip soon!
History: Founded in 1718 by French colonists, New Orleans has a long and unique history. Its strategic location near the mouth of the Mississippi River helped it become a bustling port city early on. The city traded hands between Spain and France before becoming an American city through the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.
New Orleans is famously home to the French Quarter and Bourbon Street. But it has so much more than just parties and jazz clubs! Throughout its history, the city absorbed influences from French, Spanish, African, and American cultures. This blend led to the lively and laidback vibe New Orleans is known for today.
Some key moments in the city’s history include the 1812 Louisiana Purchase, the Battle of New Orleans in 1815, rapid growth as a slave port in the 1800s, the 1884 World Cotton Centennial Exposition, and the impact of jazz music in the early 20th century. Of course, tragedy has also marked the city, including fires, yellow fever epidemics, and Hurricane Katrina. Yet the resilience of locals has kept the city’s culture alive through good times and bad.
I can’t wait to soak in more of New Orleans’ storied history and culture in person soon. Stay tuned for a vlog all about my upcoming trip – the food, music, sights, and more! Getting hungry just thinking about beignets and po’ boys. See you soon, Big Easy!
