Fun, Fast Facts About New Orleans

August 24, 2012
  1. New Orleans is where opera was first performed in the U.S., back in 1796.
  2. The first Mardi Gras parade took place on Shrove Tuesday 1838 in New Orleans.
  3. New Orleans is the largest port on the Gulf of Mexico, the second largest in the U.S. and the third largest in the world in volume of cargo handled.
  4. The Superdome is the largest enclosed stadium/arena in the world.
  5. The first U.S. theater was established in New Orleans.
  6. Antoine’s, established in 1840, is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Louisiana.
  7. The name “Uncle Sam” was coined on the wharfs of New Orleans before Louisiana was a U.S. territory — goods labeled “U.S.” were said to be from “Uncle Sam.”
  8. Poker was invented in New Orleans in the 1700s.
  9. When individual states had their own currency, the Louisiana dix (French for 10) was a favored currency for trade. In English they became known as “dixies” and the term “Dixieland” was coined.
  10. New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz, which still reigns supreme in the city today. Later, jazz spawned both the blues and rock and roll.