Why New Orleans is Important to America

Founded in 1718, New Orleans is one of the oldest cities in America, boasting a 300-year history unlike any other city in the world. Throughout its storied history, New Orleans has played a prominent role in many of our country's most historic moments.

The Louisiana Purchase, a transaction which doubled the size of the fledgling United States in 1803, was made for the primary purpose of securing the city of New Orleans and its port. The transfer was executed between France and the United States on December 3, 1803 in the Cabildo, located on Jackson Square, one of America's most historic buildings. Today, New Orleans has more than 35,000 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, 15,000 more buildings than its closest competitor, Washington, D.C.

Just a decade after the Louisiana Purchase, a landmark military victory in American history, the Battle of New Orleans was fought in New Orleans. Outnumbered by nearly 10,000 British troops, General Andrew Jackson led a band of American fighters to secure an American victory.

While the American's victory over the British was a significant moment in American history, jazz music is widely considered as America's greatest contribution to the art of music. The early roots of jazz can be traced back to the late 1800s in New Orleans. Jazz music would quickly catch on with locals and swiftly became an American institution. Not only is New Orleans the birthplace of jazz, but the city also hosted the nation's first documented opera performance, and is home to one of the oldest opera companies in America. New Orleans' rich musical culture continues today with the New Orleans based Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, which is the country's only musician-owned symphony.

In the 1940s, New Orleans helped shape World War II, and played an essential role in securing the Allied victory. Home to Andrew Higgins and Higgins Industries, over 12,500 LCVP's -- more commonly known as "Higgins Boats" -- were constructed in New Orleans. Higgins boats were used in every major American amphibious operation in both Europe and the Pacific. The Higgins Boats were so instrumental in securing an Allied victory, that General Eisenhower credited Higgins as "the man who won the war."

Built on decades of manufacturing success, since 1973, every external fuel tank sent to space was built at the New Orleans Michoud Assembly Facility. Today, workers at the facility are building rockets to send man to Mars. The saying holds true that, "if you want to go to space you must first go through New Orleans East."

"New Orleans is one of America's oldest and most unique cities, making major contributions to our nation and world throughout our 300-year history," said Mayor Mitch Landrieu. "From the Battle of New Orleans over 200 years ago to building rockets to send astronauts to Mars today, our great city continues to make history. As we enter into our 300th year, I know our best days are ahead of us. I look forward to the impact our city and her people will have over the next 300 years on the United States of America."