Historical Note:

Lefitte wards off defeat . . .

In the War of 1812, General Andrew Jackson (later, 7th U.S. President), received the aid of an unlikely source in his defense of New Orleans . . . none other than the notorious pirate, Jean Lefitte and his buccaneers. Because of his outstanding victories against the British on the high seas, Lefitte received a pardon from President Monroe. As a free man, he was able to move to Texas where he quickly picked up pirating again.

Name Origin: French. (Named after Louis XIV of France)

Capital: Baton Rouge

Population: 4,315,000

Area: 47,752 square miles

Statehood: April 30, 1812 (18th)

Nickname: The Pelican State

Motto: "Union, justice, confidence"

Famous For: Mardi Gras, Dixieland Jazz, French Quarter, Bayou, Crayfish, Pirates, Creole, Cajun Cooking, Salt (#1 salt-producing state), Rice, Sugar, Oil, Gas

Trivia Questions:
What state name is carved is on the 48th step? (Hint: It was the last state to have joined the Union at the time this Capitol was built, but now it must share the 48th step with Alaska and Hawaii, the 49th and 50th states.) -- Arizona is the 48th state to join the Union. It became a state on Valentine's Day in 1912.

How did New Orleans get its name? -- In 1718 New Orleans was a steamy swamp, thick with alligators and mosquitoes. But two French brothers saw its potential as a thriving port and accepted the challenge to colonize the area. In honor of Orleans, France, the famed area of the Maid of Orleans, Joan of Arc, they named the city Nouvelle-Orleans, which translates today to New Orleans.

What does the term "Creole" mean? -- The term "Creole" ("Criollo" in Spanish), originally referred to Louisiana-born descendants of the early French and Spanish colonists. The term is now used loosely to apply to French-speaking mixed race populations.

All who attend the Mardi Gras royal ball must bow to Rex, the King of the Mardi Gras, and his queen in a mockery of court customs. When the once King of England, the duke of Windsor and his duchess attended the Mardi Gras ball in 1950, who bowed to whom? -- In 1950 when Rex, the King of the Mardi Gras heard that Edward VIII, the once King of England, and the duke of Windsor would be attending the ball, he worried who should bow to whom? His worries were over when the duke graciously bowed to the Mardi Gras monarch and the duchess curtsied before the enthroned carnival king and queen.