The history of New Orleans, Louisiana traces the city's development from its founding by the French in 1718 through its period of Spanish control, then briefly back to French rule before being acquired by the United States in the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. During the War of 1812, the last major battle was the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. Throughout the 19th century, New Orleans was the largest port in the Southern United States, exporting most of the nation's cotton output and other farm products to Western Europe and New England. As the largest city in the South at the start of the Civil War (1861–1865), it was an early target for capture by Union forces.
Hundreds of French colonists arrive in Louisiana and found New Orleans
The history of New Orleans, Louisiana traces the city's development from its founding by the French in 1718 through its period of Spanish control, then briefly back to French rule before being...
Historical Significance
The history of New Orleans, Louisiana traces the city's development from its founding by the French in 1718 through its period of Spanish control, then briefly back to French rule before being acquired by the United States in the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.
Events Before
George Frideric Handel's "Water Music" premieres repeatedly on a barge cruising the River Thames in London
George Frideric Handel's "Water Music" premieres repeatedly on a barge cruising the River Thames in London
Netherlands, Great Britain & France sign Triple Alliance
The Triple Alliance was a defence pact signed on 4 January 1717 in The Hague between the Dutch Republic, France and Great Britain, against Bourbon Spain in an attempt to maintain the agreements of...
Prussian King Frederik Willem I buys conscript for nobles
Prussian King Frederik Willem I buys conscript for nobles
German mob leader and thief "Sjako" sentenced to death in Amsterdam
German mob leader and thief "Sjako" sentenced to death in Amsterdam
Henri d'Aguesseau is first appointed Chancellor of France
Henri François d'Aguesseau, seigneur de Fresnes was Chancellor of France three times between 1717 and 1750 and was pronounced by Voltaire to be "the most learned magistrate France ever possessed".
Events After
Britain, Hannover, Saxony-Poland and Austria sign anti-Prussian Russian pact
Britain, Hannover, Saxony-Poland and Austria sign anti-Prussian Russian pact
Liechtenstein becomes a member state of the Holy Roman Empire
Liechtenstein, officially the Principality of Liechtenstein, is a doubly landlocked country in the Central European Alps.
The Onderlinge van 1719 u.a., the oldest existing life insurance company in the Netherlands is founded
The Onderlinge van 1719 u.a., the oldest existing life insurance company in the Netherlands is founded
Jacobite Rising: Battle of Glen Shiel - Jacobite army defeated by British forces
The Battle of Glen Shiel took place on 10 June 1719 in the Scottish Highlands, during the Jacobite rising of 1719.
Sweden & Hannover sign for peace Treaty of Stockholm
Sweden & Hannover sign for peace Treaty of Stockholm
More from the 1710s
Parisian merchant Jean Marius obtains a five-year royal privilege for his invention of a folding umbrella, the first in
Parisian merchant Jean Marius obtains a five-year royal privilege for his invention of a folding umbrella, the first in Europe
Typewriter patented by Englishman Henry Mill (built years later)
Typewriter patented by Englishman Henry Mill (built years later)
Russian Tsar Peter the Great officially marries Polish-Lithuanian pre-marriedeasant Martha Skavronskaya at Saint Isaac's
Russian Tsar Peter the Great officially marries Polish-Lithuanian pre-marriedeasant Martha Skavronskaya at Saint Isaac's Cathedral in Saint Petersburg, having earlier married in secret in 1707
In the Battle of Helsingborg, 14,000 Danish invaders under Jørgen Rantzau are decisively defeated by an equally sized Sw
In the Battle of Helsingborg, 14,000 Danish invaders under Jørgen Rantzau are decisively defeated by an equally sized Swedish force under Magnus Stenbock
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on August 25, 1718?
- The history of New Orleans, Louisiana traces the city's development from its founding by the French in 1718 through its period of Spanish control, then briefly back to French rule before being acquired by the United States in the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. During the War of 1812, the last major battle was the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. Throughout the 19th century, New Orleans was the largest port in the Southern United States, exporting most of the nation's cotton output and other farm products to Western Europe and New England.
- Why is Hundreds of French colonists arrive in Louisiana and found New Orleans significant?
- The history of New Orleans, Louisiana traces the city's development from its founding by the French in 1718 through its period of Spanish control, then briefly back to French rule before being acquired by the United States in the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.