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Vermilion Historical Society |
Bicentennial re-enactment of the transfer of Louisiana from France to the United States
December 20, 2003—The bicentennial re-enactment of the transfer of possession of the Louisiana Territory from France to the United States took place this weekend at the Cabildo in New Orleans. Your intrepid webmaster was there to report on the event for the Vermilion Historical Society. Unfortunately, Presidents Bush, Juan Carlos of Spain, and Jacques Chirac of France did not attend, so the event did not garner the press coverage it would have otherwise. Some of the dignitaries present were New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, Interior Secretary Gale Norton, Senator Mary Landrieu, Governor Mike Foster, Governor-Elect Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, and representatives from Spain, France, and Haiti. Only about 1000 spectators witnessed the event. The signing of the documents took place inside the Cabildo, but giant outdoor screens and loudspeakers had been set up so that the crowd outside could also witness the events as they took place. Below are some images from the event:
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The scene of the event was the Cabildo, the building to the left of the St. Louis Cathedral. It was a magnificent New Orleans day. Jackson Square was closed during the re-enactment, perhaps for security reasons. |
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One of the two giant outdoor screens announced the beginning of the event. There were also powerful loudspeakers, and a professional narrator explained all of the events as they occurred. |
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Senator Mary Landrieu along with Interior Secretary Gale Norton (not shown) represented the federal government in the absence of President George Bush. |
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After speeches by representatives of the the city of New Orleans, the United States, France, Spain, and Haiti, the ceremony began with the re-enactment of the events of November 30, 1803, when Spain returned possession of Louisiana to France. Spanish soldiers marched in as the Spanish flag flew on the flagpole. |
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French soldiers marched in to the music of a military band playing authentic music of the period. |
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The Spanish flag came down as the French flag went up, signifying the transfer of possession of Louisiana from Spain to France. The joy of the Cajuns and other French citizens of Louisiana was to be short-lived, however, as the French possession was to last only twenty days. |
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The Spanish exited, having no further legal claim to Louisiana. |
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December 20, 1803, U.S. troops arrived with Gen. James Wilkinson and first U.S. governor of Louisiana, William C. C. Claiborne. |
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William C. C. Claiborne, French representative Clement de Laussat, and Gen. James Wilkinson signed the transfer documents in the Sala Capitular of the Cabildo. |
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The signers came out onto the balcony of the Cabildo to announce the completion of the transfer documents and to witness the exchange of flags. |
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The French flag came down as the American flag (having 15 stars and 15 stripes at that time) went up. The military band played the national anthem, "Hail Columbia," the Star-Spangled Banner having not yet been written. |
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When the flags met at half staff they stopped, and the cannon was fired signifying the official transfer of possession of Louisiana from France to the United States. Vive la Nouvelle-Orléans, vive la Louisiane, vive les États-Unis, vive l'Espagne, et vive la France! |
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