History of New Orleans in Timeline

New Orleans, Louisiana, is a consolidated city-parish situated on the Mississippi River. It is the most populous city in Louisiana and the former French Louisiana region, the second-most populous in the Deep South, and the twelfth-most populous in the Southeastern U.S., with a population of 383,997 as of 2020. As a major port city, New Orleans serves as a significant economic and commercial center for the Gulf Coast region.

July 1900: Robert Charles Riots

In July 1900, the city was swept by white mobs rioting after Robert Charles, a young African American, killed a policeman and temporarily escaped.

1900: Increase in Residential Segregation

New Orleans experienced an increase in residential segregation from 1900 to 1980, leaving the disproportionately Black and African American poor in older, low-lying locations.

1902: French Language in New Orleans

In 1902, one-fourth of the population of New Orleans spoke French in ordinary daily intercourse, while another two-fourths was able to understand the language perfectly.

1909: Grand Isle Hurricane

In 1909, portions of Greater New Orleans were flooded by the Grand Isle Hurricane.

1915: New Orleans Hurricane

In 1915, portions of Greater New Orleans were flooded by the New Orleans Hurricane.

December 27, 1923: End of L'Abeille de la Nouvelle-Orlu00e9ans publication

On December 27, 1923, L'Abeille de la Nouvelle-Orlu00e9ans (New Orleans Bee), the last major French language newspaper, ceased publication after 96 years.

1929: New Orleans streetcar strike

In 1929 the New Orleans streetcar strike occurred.

1938: Establishment of United Cab

Since its establishment in 1938, United Cab has operated 365 days a year, with the exception of the month after Hurricane Katrina, when operations were temporarily suspended due to disruptions in radio service.

1945: French Language in New Orleans

As late as 1945, many elderly Creole women in New Orleans spoke no English.

1946: DeLesseps Morrison's administration

DeLesseps "Chep" Morrison started his administrations in 1946.

1947: 1947 Fort Lauderdale Hurricane

In 1947, portions of Greater New Orleans were flooded by the 1947 Fort Lauderdale Hurricane.

1948: Streetcar Line to Desire Street Becomes Bus Line

In 1948, the streetcar line to Desire Street in New Orleans was converted into a bus line during 1948.

1950: Urban growth comparison

By 1950, Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta exceeded New Orleans in size.

1954: Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education

The Supreme Court issued their ruling in Brown v. Board of Education in 1954.

1955: Le Courrier de la Nouvelle Orleans

According to some sources, Le Courrier de la Nouvelle Orleans continued until 1955.

1956: Hurricane Flossy

In 1956, portions of Greater New Orleans were flooded by Hurricane Flossy.

1956: 1956 Sugar Bowl controversy

Much controversy preceded the 1956 Sugar Bowl at Tulane Stadium, regarding the Pitt Panthers player Bobby Grier due to his race.

1960: Population Decrease Begins

Beginning in 1960, the population of New Orleans decreased due to factors such as the cycles of oil production and tourism, and as suburbanization increased.

1960: Urban growth comparison

In 1960 Miami eclipsed New Orleans, even as the latter's population reached its historic peak.

1960: School desegregation attempt

In 1960, a series of violent confrontations occurred when the city attempted school desegregation.

1960: Historic Population Peak

Prior to 1960, the population of New Orleans steadily increased to a historic 627,525.

1960: Segregation in Public Schools

Public schools were racially segregated and remained so until 1960.

1961: Victor Schiro's administration

Victor "Vic" Schiro started his administrations in 1961.

1963: New Year's Eve Snowstorm

In 1963, the New Year's Eve snowstorm affected New Orleans and brought 4.5 inches (11 cm) of snow.

1964: Civil Rights Act

In 1964, the Civil Rights Act was passed.

1965: Flood Control Act

After the Flood Control Act of 1965, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built floodwalls and man-made levees around a larger geographic area, including previous marshland and swamp.

1965: Hurricane Betsy

In 1965, flooding from Hurricane Betsy killed dozens of residents.

1965: Voting Rights Act

In 1965, the Voting Rights Act was passed.

1970: Population decline

The 1970 census recorded the first absolute decline in population since the city became part of the United States in 1803.

1972: One Shell Square Completion

In 1972, One Shell Square became the city's tallest building.

May 31, 1980: States-Item Ceases Publication

On May 31, 1980, the afternoon newspaper States-Item ceased publication.

1980: African American Majority

From 1980, the African American majority elected primarily officials from its own community.

1980: Increase in Residential Segregation

New Orleans experienced an increase in residential segregation from 1900 to 1980, leaving the disproportionately Black and African American poor in older, low-lying locations.

1986: Sidney Barthelemy's administration

Sidney Barthelemy started his administrations in 1986.

December 1989: December 1989 United States cold wave

December 1989, a cold wave caused snowfall in New Orleans.

December 22, 1989: Snowfall during Cold Wave

On December 22, 1989, during the December 1989 United States cold wave, most of New Orleans received 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) of snow.

December 23, 1989: Record Low Temperature

On December 23, 1989, New Orleans recorded a temperature of 11 °F (-12 °C).

1989: Douglas Wilder elected in Virginia

In 1989, Douglas Wilder was elected in Virginia, becoming the next African American to serve as governor of a U.S. state.

1990: Shift to Predominantly Black City

Starting in 1990, New Orleans grew into a predominantly Black and African American city by race and ethnicity.

1991: Climate Normals Begin

In 1991, the period for climate normals began for New Orleans.

1994: Marc Morial's administration

Marc Morial started his administrations in 1994.

May 8, 1995: Rain-induced flood

On May 8, 1995, a rain-induced flood demonstrated the weakness of the pumping system in New Orleans.

1998: Hurricane Georges

In 1998, portions of Greater New Orleans were flooded by Hurricane Georges.

2000: The Real World: New Orleans

In 2000, The Real World: New Orleans, a television program, was set in the city during 2000.

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2000: Pre-Katrina Population Baseline

In 2000, the population of New Orleans was used as a baseline for measuring recovery after Hurricane Katrina.

2000: Population Compared to 2020

The 2020 census revealed the city now has a more diverse population than it did before Katrina, yet 21% fewer people than it had in 2000.

2002: End of Marc Morial's administration

Marc Morial ended his administrations in 2002.

2003: Winter Season with no freezing temperatures

The 2003-04 winter season passed with no freezing temperatures at all in New Orleans.

2004: Christmas Eve Snowstorm

In 2004, a small amount of snow fell during the Christmas Eve Snowstorm in New Orleans.

2004: Pre-Katrina School District Performance

Prior to Hurricane Katrina, in 2004, the New Orleans school district performance score was 56.9, as measured during 2004.

July 1, 2005: Pre-Katrina Population Estimate

As of July 1, 2005, the last population estimate before Hurricane Katrina was 454,865.

July 2005: Pre-Katrina Household Count

In July 2005, about 198,000 households received mail in New Orleans.

August 2005: Hurricane Katrina Impacts Sunset Limited Route

Up until August 2005, when Hurricane Katrina struck, the Sunset Limited's route continued east to Orlando during August 2005.

August 29, 2005: Hurricane Katrina

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused the federal levee system to fail, leading to the flooding of 80% of the city and resulting in the death of more than 1,500 people in Louisiana.

September 2005: Hurricane Rita

In September 2005, the approach of Hurricane Rita caused repopulation efforts to be postponed, and the Lower Ninth Ward was reflooded by Rita's storm surge.

2005: Value of the slave trade

In 2005 dollars, adjusted for inflation, the slave trade during the antebellum period amounted to tens of billions of dollars.

2005: Hurricane Katrina Devastates Transit Service

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused significant damage to transit service in New Orleans during 2005.

2005: Poverty Rate

In 2005, New Orleans had a poverty rate of 24.5%, almost twice the national average.

2005: Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

In 2005, portions of Greater New Orleans were flooded by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

July 2006: Population Estimate

In July 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of New Orleans to be 223,000.

July 2006: Population Increase Since Katrina

In July 2006, the population increased since Hurricane Katrina. Post Katrina population was about 50,000 more than August 2007

2006: Undocumented Immigrant Population

A 2006 study estimated that as many as 10,000 to 14,000 undocumented immigrants resided in New Orleans.

2006: Coastal Restoration Amendment

In 2006, Louisiana voters adopted an amendment to the state's constitution to dedicate all revenues from off-shore drilling to restore Louisiana's eroding coast line.

2006: Record Homicides

In 2006, New Orleans experienced a record number of homicides, exacerbated by the displacement and disruption caused by Hurricane Katrina. The city was ranked as the most dangerous in the country during 2006.

2006: Subsidence Study

In 2006, a study published in Geology by an associate professor at Tulane University addressed the magnitude of subsidence potentially caused by the draining of natural marsh in the New Orleans area and southeast Louisiana.

2006: Return of Tourist Events and Sports

In 2006, large conventions and college bowl games returned to New Orleans. The New Orleans Saints also returned for the season.

January 2007: Rally Demanding Action on Crime

In January 2007, thousands of New Orleans residents marched to City Hall, demanding that police and city leaders address the ongoing crime issues. Mayor Ray Nagin stated he was focused on resolving the problem during January 2007.

March 2007: Population Increase

As of March 2007, a study estimated that 32,000 additional residents had moved to the city, bringing the estimated population to 255,000, approximately 56% of the pre-Katrina population level.

June 2007: Mail Delivery Population Estimate

In June 2007, the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center estimated that the city had regained approximately two-thirds of its pre-Katrina population based on mail delivery records.

July 2007: Utility Usage Population Estimate

Based on utility usage, the population was estimated to be approximately 274,000, or 60% of the pre-Katrina population in July 2007.

August 2007: Post-Katrina Population Analysis

A population analysis released in August 2007 estimated the population to be 273,000, 60% of the pre-Katrina population and an increase of about 50,000 since July 2006.

September 2007: Household Count

A September 2007 report by The Greater New Orleans Community Data Center found that in August 2007, just over 137,000 households received mail, which represents about 70% of pre-Katrina population.

2007: Elevation Study

A 2007 study by Tulane and Xavier University suggested that "51%... of the contiguous urbanized portions of Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Bernard parishes lie at or above sea level," with the more densely populated areas generally on higher ground.

2007: Creation of The Running of the Bulls New Orleans

In 2007, a new annual festival called "The Running of the Bulls New Orleans" was created.

2007: Return of the Hornets

The New Orleans Hornets (now named the Pelicans) returned to the city for the 2007-2008 season.

2008: Hosting NBA All-Star Game

In 2008, New Orleans hosted the NBA All-Star Game.

2008: Hurricane Gustav

In 2008, portions of Greater New Orleans were flooded by Hurricane Gustav.

2008: Revised Population Estimate

In 2008, the U.S. Census Bureau revised its population estimate for New Orleans upward to 336,644.

June 24, 2009: Audubon Park High Temperature

On June 24, 2009, Audubon Park recorded a temperature of 104 °F (40 °C).

October 2009: Assessment Demonstrates Academic Growth

An October 2009 assessment in New Orleans demonstrated continued growth in the academic performance of public schools. The overall school district performance score was 70.6, a 24% improvement over the pre-Katrina metric during October 2009.

2009: Decrease in Violent Crime

By 2009, New Orleans saw a 17% decrease in violent crime, mirroring trends in other cities. However, the homicide rate in 2009 remained high, between 55 and 64 per 100,000 residents.

2009: The Real World: Back to New Orleans

In 2009, The Real World: Back to New Orleans, a television program, was set in the city during 2009.

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2009: Tulane University Bicycle Traffic

In 2009, Tulane University converted the main street through its Uptown campus, McAlister Place, into a pedestrian mall open to bicycle traffic during 2009.

2010: Primary Languages Spoken

As of 2010, 90.3% of residents age five and older spoke English at home as a primary language, while 4.8% spoke Spanish, 1.9% Vietnamese, and 1.1% spoke French.

2010: Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation

As of 2010, New Orleans ranked eighth among U.S. cities in its rate of bicycle and pedestrian transportation and sixth in terms of the percentage of bicycling commuters during 2010.

2010: U.S. Census

From the 2010 U.S. census, the city began growing again.

2010: Homicide Rate Drop

In 2010, New Orleans experienced a decrease in the homicide rate, dropping to 49.1 per 100,000 residents during 2010.

2010: The Real World: Back to New Orleans

In 2010, The Real World: Back to New Orleans, a television program, was set in the city during 2010.

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2010: U.S. Census Bureau Revision

In 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau revised upward its 2008 population estimate for the city, to 336,644 inhabitants.

2010: Racial and Ethnic Makeup

In 2010, the racial and ethnic makeup of New Orleans was 60.2% Black and African American, 33.0% White, 2.9% Asian, and 1.7% people of two or more races. People of Hispanic or Latino American origin made up 5.3% of the population.

2011: Bad Girls Club: New Orleans

In 2011, Bad Girls Club: New Orleans, a television program, was set in the city during 2011.

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2011: Murder Rate Climbs

In 2011, the murder rate in New Orleans climbed by 14% to 57.88 per 100,000, ranking the city as No. 21 in the world during 2011.

September 2012: The Advocate Begins New Orleans Edition

In September 2012, The Advocate, a Baton Rouge newspaper, began publishing a New Orleans edition, after The Times-Picayune cut its print schedule.

2012: Hurricane Isaac

In 2012, portions of Greater New Orleans were flooded by Hurricane Isaac.

2012: Homicide Rate Increase

In 2012, the homicide rate in New Orleans increased again, reaching 53.2 per 100,000, the highest rate among cities with a population of 250,000 or more during 2012.

2012: Winter Season with no freezing temperatures

The 2012-13 winter season passed with no freezing temperatures at all in New Orleans.

June 2013: Times-Picayune Resumes Daily Printing

In June 2013, the Times-Picayune resumed daily printing with a condensed newsstand tabloid edition, TP Street, which is published on the days when its broadsheet edition is not printed during June 2013.

2013: Bus Service Restoration

As recently as the end of 2013, bus service in New Orleans had only been restored to 35% of pre-Katrina levels during 2013.

2013: Commuting by Walking or Bicycling

In 2013, 5% of working people from New Orleans commuted by walking and 2.8% commuted by cycling. New Orleans ranked thirteenth for percentage of workers who commuted by walking or biking among cities not included within the fifty most populous cities during 2013.

2014: All Public School Students Attend Charter Schools

At the start of the 2014 school year, all public school students in the New Orleans Public School (NOPS) system attended independent public charter schools, making it the nation's first system to do so during 2014.

2014: Census Estimate

The 2014 census estimated that the city grew by 12%, adding an average of more than 10,000 new residents each year following the official decennial census.

July 2015: Population Recovery

By July 2015, the population was back up to 386,617, which is 80% of what it was in 2000.

2015: Households Without Cars

In 2015, 18.8% of New Orleans households were without a car during 2015.

2015: Winter Season with no freezing temperatures

The 2015-16 winter season passed with no freezing temperatures at all in New Orleans.

2015: Lafitte Greenway Opens

The Lafitte Greenway bicycle and pedestrian trail opened in 2015 and is planned to extend 3.1 miles from the French Quarter to Lakeview during 2015.

January 2016: Sucré Partners with United Cab for Deliveries

In January 2016, New Orleans-based sweet shop Sucré partnered with United Cab to deliver its king cakes locally on-demand during January 2016.

February 28, 2016: NOPD Policy Change

The New Orleans Police Department began a new policy to "no longer cooperate with federal immigration enforcement" beginning on February 28, 2016.

May 2016: NASA Subsidence Study

In May 2016, NASA published a study which suggested that most areas were experiencing subsidence at a "highly variable rate" which was "generally consistent with, but somewhat higher than, previous studies."

2016: Commuting Statistics

According to the 2016 American Community Survey, 67.4% of working city of New Orleans residents commuted by driving alone, 9.7% carpooled, 7.3% used public transportation, and 4.9% walked. About 5% used all other forms of transportation, including taxicab, motorcycle, and bicycle. About 5.7% of working New Orleans residents worked at home during 2016.

2016: ASCE Journal of Hydrologic Engineering Study

In 2016, a study published by the ASCE Journal of Hydrologic Engineering provided further data related to land elevation in New Orleans.

2016: 176 Murders Recorded

In 2016, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) reported 176 murders based on annual crime statistics during 2016.

2016: Increase in Households Without Cars

In 2016, the percentage of New Orleans households without a car increased to 20.2% during 2016.

2016: Jobs Accessible by Transit Ride

In 2016, there were 83,722 jobs accessible by a thirty-minute walk or transit ride.

2017: Ferry Service Routes

As of 2017, New Orleans has had continuous ferry service since 1827, operating three routes. The Canal Street Ferry connects downtown New Orleans with Algiers Point. This terminal also serves the Canal Street/Gretna Ferry, connecting Gretna, Louisiana. A third connects Chalmette, Louisiana, and Lower Algiers during 2017.

2017: Orleans Parish Population

As of 2017, Orleans Parish was the third most populous parish in Louisiana.

2017: Highest Rate of Gun Violence

In 2017, New Orleans had the highest rate of gun violence, surpassing Chicago and Detroit during 2017.

2017: Streetcar Line Extension and Bus Route Re-Routing

In 2017, the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority began operation on the extension of the Rampart–St. Claude streetcar line. The 15 Freret and 28 Martin Luther King bus routes were re-routed to Canal Street. These changes increased the number of jobs accessible by a thirty-minute walk or transit ride to 89,216 during 2017.

2017: Transit Service Restoration

Through the end of 2017, only 51% of transit service (both streetcar and bus trips) had been restored to pre-Katrina levels during 2017.

January 17, 2018: Last Temperature Reach of 20°F

The last time the temperature reached 20 °F (-7 °C) in New Orleans was on January 17, 2018.

2018: Airport Passengers

As of 2018, more than 13 million passengers passed through Armstrong International, on nonstop flights from more than 57 destinations during 2018.

2019: Newspapers Merge

In 2019, The Times-Picayune and The New Orleans Advocate merged to form The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate during 2019.

2019: Increase in Murders

Murders increased 68% in 2020 from 2019. Criminal justice observers blamed impacts from COVID-19 and changes in police strategies for the uptick.

2019: Winter Season with no freezing temperatures

The consecutive winters of 2018-19 and 2019-20 passed with no freezing temperatures at all in New Orleans.

2020: U.S. Census

According to the 2020 United States census, there were 383,997 people, 151,753 households, and 69,370 families residing in the city.

2020: African-American Majority Parishes

In 2020, New Orleans was one of six parishes in Louisiana that had an African-American Majority.

2020: Murders Increase by 68%

In 2020, murders in New Orleans increased by 68% from 2019, totaling 202 murders. Observers attributed the increase to impacts from COVID-19 and changes in police strategies during 2020.

2020: Greater New Orleans metropolitan area population

In 2020, the Greater New Orleans metropolitan area had a population of 1,271,845 and became the 46th most populous MSA in the United States.

2020: Population of New Orleans

In 2020, the U.S. census recorded the population of New Orleans as 383,997, making it the most populous city in Louisiana and the French Louisiana region.

2020: Climate Normals End

In 2020, the period for climate normals ended for New Orleans.

2020: Racial and Ethnic Makeup

In 2020, the racial and ethnic makeup of New Orleans was 53.61% Black or African American, 31.61% non-Hispanic white, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 3.71% multiracial or of another race, and 8.08% Hispanic and Latino American of any race.

August 29, 2021: Hurricane Ida Landfall

On August 29, 2021, the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's landfall, Hurricane Ida, a category 4 hurricane, made landfall near Port Fourchon and caused damage during the Hurricane Ida tornado outbreak.

2021: Hurricane Ida

In 2021, portions of Greater New Orleans were flooded by Hurricane Ida.

2022: High homicide rate in New Orleans

In 2022, New Orleans experienced 280 murders, resulting in the highest per capita homicide rate in the United States.

2022: Homicide Rate Skyrockets

In 2022, New Orleans' homicide rate skyrocketed, leading every major city and resulting in the city being declared the "Murder Capital of America" again. The city homicide count reached a 26-year high of 280, and the NOPD dropped to under 1,000 officers in 2022.

August 27, 2023: Record High Temperature

On August 27, 2023, New Orleans recorded a temperature of 105 °F (41 °C).

August 28, 2023: Audubon Park High Temperature

On August 28, 2023, Audubon Park recorded a temperature of 104 °F (40 °C).

January 1, 2025: Truck Attack

On January 1, 2025, a truck attack occurred in New Orleans, killing 15 people and injuring 35. The attack was carried out as an act of domestic terrorism and was committed by Shamsud-Din Jabbar.