Welcome to Big Easy Life. This weekly blog will share and discuss our daily posts on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook called "Today in Big Easy History. Please feel free to comment, share, and discuss.
It is (July 1st 2020) and it’s time for Today in Big Easy history
On this date in (1929)
One of the lengthiest and most violent transit railway strikes the nation ever experienced began in New Orleans
What makes this such an interesting fact is this strike is credited with the start of the phrase poor boy which of course changed to poboy. We are working on a show now going into that history.
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It is (July 2nd 2020) and it’s time for Today in Big Easy history
On this date in (1870)
The riverboat Robert E. Lee defeated the Natchez in a race on the Mississippi.
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It is ( July 3rd 2020) and it’s time for Today in Big Easy history
On this date in (1930)
Pierre Dewey LaFontaine, Jr. was born in New Orleans today, better known to all of us as the great Pete Fountain.
I was lucky enough to see Pete in his last year riding with the half-fast marching club. It was a tradition to look for them on Mardi Gras day as they started off the festivities on the parade route.
His jazz is still such a cornerstone of New Orleans music it should not be missed. _____________________________________________________________________
It is (July 4th2020) and it’s time for Today in Big Easy history
On this date in (1893)
World War I fighter pilot Alvin Andrew Callender was born. NOLA' first municipal airport was dedicated and named Alvin Callender Field in 1926
For those that may not recognize the name. Alvin Callender Field is known today as Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans or simply Belle Chasse Navel Air Station.
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It is (July 5th 2020) and it’s time for Today in Big Easy history
On this date in (2001)
The City Council unanimously approved the New Orleans Aviation Board's proposal to rename the New Orleans International Airport (Moisant) in honor of the great Louis Armstrong
From a tourist sense I think this was a great idea. Armstrong is such a worldwide name that is associated with New Orleans. On a practical sense I think it was a good idea because no matter what accomplishments he may have had in life, Moisant crashed his plane and died on the site of the airport. I find that off putting when I was boarding a plane and thinking about it......maybe its just me.
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It is (July 6th 2020) and it’s time for Today in Big Easy history
On this date in (1897)
Storyville established in an attempt by the New Orleans City Council to control prostitution. It limited the vice to a 38-block district on the edge of the French Quarter. Sidney Story alderman introduced measure
If there is an aspect of New Orleans history that I get asked about the most it would be Storyville. This little section of town where rules were ignored did more for the history of music in America than any place else in history (in my opinion)
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It is ( July 7th 2020) and it’s time for Today in Big Easy history
On this date in (1866)
New Orleans Barracks was renamed Jackson Barracks in honor of Andrew Jackson.
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