In 1718, what is known today as New Orleans was known by its French name, La Nouvelle Orleans. It was founded by the French Mississippi Company under the direction of Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville. It was named for Philipe II, the Duke of Orleans. In 1763 the entire colony was turned over to the Spanish and remained under Spanish rule for forty years. Much of the architecture of the French Quarter is from the era of Spanish rule.

At approximately 1:30 a.m., on March 21,1788 a fire started in the French Quarter. Though 850 buildings were destroyed, pirate Jean Lafitte's blacksmith shop was not and it still stands today. Read about Jean Lafitte's blacksmith shop and Saint Louis Church at Jackson Square here.

Again, in 1801, the area came under French rule; In 1803 it was sold to the United States of America as an inclusion in the Louisiana Purchase. The city flourished as a shipping port.

During the War of 1812, on January 8, 1815, the British attempted to take control of New Orleans, they were solidly defeated by American troops under the command of General Andrew Jackson.

New Orleans was captured early by Union forces during the Civil War, this prevented the city from experiencing the destruction that befell so many other cities of the South.