Louisiana's Bicentennial - KNOE 8 News; KNOE-TV; KNOE.com |

Louisiana, USA (KNOE 8 News) - Rich in tradition, rich in history, the State of Louisiana became the 18th star on the USA flag in 1812.  Originally part of the Louisiana Purchase, our state lines were carved from the southern section of the huge territory.

ULM History Professor Terry Jones, PhD:  "Congress created what is now our boundary with Arkansas, 33 degrees north latitude.  Everything south of that was called "The Territory of New Orleans" and that is what becomes the State of Louisiana."

In addition to writing a constitution for the state, a name had to be chosen.

"Delegates that wrote the first state constitution wanted to call ourselves the state of "Jefferson", for Thomas Jefferson, who made the Louisiana Purchase.  Some others "Lafayette", to honor the French general who fought with George Washington."

Louisiana entered the union during a time of war.  And the state wound up being the site of one of the last battles of the War of 1812.

"Andrew Jackson the American General and General Pakenham, the English, fought the Battle of New Orleans.  They didn't find out the war was over until about two months after the battle."

Professor Terry Jones tells of an interesting side-note in Louisiana Lore, an example of how history sometimes comes a full circle.

"Martial law is allowed by the US constitution in extreme emergencies.  The first time in American History was by General Jackson during the Battle of New Orleans.  The last time was in New Orleans again...after Hurricane Katrina."

Next Friday at six, as our series continues, we will look a the symbolism and meaning of our state flag.